Farmers blocked the entry to the Maghtab landfill from the Coast Road on Saturday morning, in protest at plans to expropriate their arable land. 

A number of farmers parked their vehicles at the intersection between the Coast Road and Triq ir-Ramla, which leads up to Magħtab, in a protest aimed to highlight their opposition to Wasteserv’s plan for the area.

Some of the protesters closed off northbound lanes of the Coast Road for a few minutes, but moved the vehicles after a while to allow traffic to flow. 

"We want to protect our land. We have been suffering for 40 years, during which they gradually took our land to expand the landfill. Now we have had enough," a protester explained. 

Police urged the farmers to move along, as Saturday morning traffic built up along the major road.  

But the protesters, who were joined by Nationalist MPs Edwin Vassallo and Robert Cutajar, instead flipped vegetable crates upside down and sat down on them in protest.

In a post on Facebook, Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia expressed his solidarity with the farmers and said he understood their anger.

He said however that he has obligations towards the rest of the country for a comprehensive plan on waste management.

It is not an option to remain as we are, Farrugia said. If we do not act, the consequences on the environment and the land around Maghtab will be worse.

If Malta will not have the necessary structure, more agricultural land will be eaten up, he added.

Farrugia said the plans will continue to be finalised with the cooperation of experts from the European Commission.

He said he will be meeting with the farmers, residents, local councils and environmental organisations to discuss the matter further.

Farrugia said these are decisions that need to be taken with responsibility and sadness, but also with determination and courage in the best interests of the country.

Prime Minister Robert Abela showed up later in the morning when the protest was winding down.