The proposed development of an "American University of Malta" in undeveloped land in the Żonqor area of Marsascala was the elephant in the room at the "Gvern li Jisma'" consultation session featuring Environment Minister Leo Brincat, held just two days after a national protest against the project.

Mr Brincat made no reference to the project, even as he pledged that the government would prioritise the environment, and neither did anyone attending the meeting bring it up in their questions.

In his opening remarks, the minister said that the planned split of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to create a new Environment and Resources Authority would ensure that the environment would truly be safeguarded. He said that preparations to split MEPA were at an advanced stage, and that the relevant legislation was set to be discussed in parliament in the near future.

The government, he said, was committed to ensure that the new authority would have the structure it deserves, pointing out that it would have an environment director as well as a CEO, among other posts. A number of calls for applications have already been issued, including for an environment director, and more would follow in the coming days.

The minister said that the new authority would serve to address, as quickly as possible, the mistakes that have taken place over the years. He said that it was clear that the general perception was that the only instance where the environment was placed first at MEPA was in its name, and that the environment was the authority's "Cinderella."

Mr Brincat pointed out that the government's electoral manifesto prioritised the environment, and that it would ensure that this promise would be fulfilled, and not only on the eve of the next general election.

The minister later argued that air quality was the greatest environmental challenge faced by Malta, and highlighted that transport was a key contributor to this. He said that without a culture change, the transport problem would remain for many years to come, questioning whether Malta would be ready to emulate Singapore and introduce measures such as heavy taxes on cars and limits on their use.

Malta still considering its options on finch trapping

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Roderick Galdes was also present, and was asked by an FKNK member whether Malta would allow the trapping of finches this year: Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella has warned that Malta is risking being taken to the European Court of Justice.

Mr Galdes said that when it came to trapping, the problem dates back to the negotiations that took place before Malta joined the EU. While proposals were being evaluated by the Ornis Committee, he said, it was too early to announce what would happen.

The parliamentary secretary also argued that there was room for hunters and environmentalists to cooperate on various issues, including enforcement. He noted that Buskett farmhouses were to be allocated to BirdLife Malta and the FKNK to set up a bird rehabilitation centre and that another Buskett farmhouse was set to host a project aiming to reintroduce the barn owl to Malta, with the FKNK's assistance.

Mr Galdes was also asked about the shortage of crates at the Pitkalija farmers' market, and said that this was ultimately an artificial one. He said that while crates were regularly being provided, rumours of shortages led farmers to stockpile them, causing stocks to run low.

The government, he said, was seeking to cut down on this abuse, including through microchipping crates so these could be traced. A member of the public then pointed out that it was not surprising to find a shortage of crates, noting that these crates were being used everywhere, including in open-air markets.