Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa and Moviment Graffitti today called for the immediate suspension of operations at the tuna recycling plant in Birżebbuġa.

The local council has already complained about the matter too.

The two organisations addressed a letter to Miriam Dalli, Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise and to Mr Silvio Schembri, Minister for Economy, EU Funds and Lands about the unbearable situation faced by residents and workers around Birżebbuġa, Bengħisa and Ħal Far who are having to live in extremely dire conditions due to the unbearable stench and sewage leaks coming from the new tuna recycling factory owned by Aquaculture Resources Ltd. in Ħal Far. Moreover, roads in a Birżebbuġa neighbourhood have recently been flooded with fish remains and the ensuing stench has made life miserable for the people having to live with it.

This factory has brought about squalid conditions previously inexistent in the neighbourhood of Birżebbuġa, they said in a statement.

The two organisations take note of the statement released by the Local Council of Birżebbuġa about a meeting that took place between ERA and Water Services Corporation and appreciate the Council’s efforts to resolve the situation. However, they insist that the action taken by the authorities is insufficient to curb the problems that residents are daily and unjustly having to face because of this tuna plant. They are therefore calling for the immediate suspension of operations at the plant and insist it is back in action only when it can eradicate the odour pollution it is currently emitting.

Għaqda Storja u Kultura Birżebbuġa and Moviment Graffitti insist that the profits of the tuna industry can never come before the health and safety of residents and the environments in which they live. This simple and logical call for action must be heard and if it falls on deaf ears, the organisations pledge to take all necessary action to ensure that the health and quality of life of the people are given the priority they deserve.