The WEEE Directive will remain in the doldrums.

It will not be implemented. Government does not care. The business community led by GRTU has lost hope.

We have moaned complained groaned written discussed shouted, but to no avail Government stands tall.

GRTU provides one solace. If Government or MEPA ever think that on receipt of an infringement notice and subsequent penalties it will pass these to producers, then it is best known from now!

No producer will pay any fees or penalties if he was paying Eco Contribution.

There is only one way out for Government.

Stop tacking eco contribution and the business community will shoulder it.

Otherwise this is history. Pity that DG Environment has no clue of the situation in Malta.

Why is government procrastinating? Is there any valid reason? Or is it just money? The budget this time around shows a decrease of two and a half million from Eco Contribution.

So is there anything in the pipeline or just continued evasion?

Early this week MEUSAC set up a meeting regarding the transposition of the revised WEEE Directive. I for one would not have wanted to be the MEPA representative at that meeting.

MEUSAC should have known better. They should have invited the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Finance to be present.

Maybe then he could have given the producers present some answers.

The revised Directive is much more demanding and communities are faced with this problem too.

A problem endorsed by a Government that has shied away from its obligations just because someday he thinks he will make the producer

pay twice.

Keep on dreaming!

Vincent Farrugia

Director General GRTU