Wednesday, 27th August 2008
FAA queries application for cow farm at Magħtab
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) will today consider an application for a cow farm on arable land right next to residential homes in Magħtab even when disused farms nearby are being converted into warehouses, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) complained yesterday.
The environmental NGO said the Mepa case officer was recommending the granting of a development permit.
"This comes as no surprise as only last April, Mepa granted another outline development permit for the construction of a pig farm on 5,000 square metres of arable agricultural land very close to this proposed development.
"All this is happening when, just across the alley from this proposed development, an application is pending for the construction of warehousing facilities (PA 06929/07) in a long abandoned farming structure that occupies about 18,000 square metres of land.
"Other farmhouses nearby are also being converted and used for other purposes, such as the storage of building construction material and machinery," the FAA said.
Mepa's recent State Of The Environment Report clearly states that greater emphasis is to be placed on the protection of the rural environment. "The taking up of more agricultural land for development does not augur well for the future."
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Comments
Until the early 90's, Maghtab was still relatively clean from animal farms.
To make things worse, most to the farms constructed in those days have been converted to other uses and many illegalities, such as construction material and equipment storage, illegal storage of fishing equipment (ECF00279/08), industrial garages (PA07747/07), aluminium workshops (EFC00070/07), but still the authorities keep on closing an eye on all these illegalities.
In Maghtab, the FARMERS are the residents of Maghtab.
Maghtab is designated as an agricultural and farming area, and agricultural and farming area means that farmers till the land, sow the seeds and harvest the produce. Therefore, the lands in Maghtab should be used for these purposes only.
Cow-Farms and Pig-Farms do not make part of Agriculture.
Cow-Farms and Pig-Farms should be housed in centralized zones far from any form of residences, including those of FARMERS!.
FARMERS are human beings also and the inconveniences caused by these types of Cow and Pig farms, also annoys them.
All those who are justifying these permits because some (not all) of these farm-houses who have a hole dug up and filled with water (i.e. swimming pool) should not be in these areas are TOTALLY WRONG and unfortunately it somehow smacks of ENVYNESS !!!
After all, she is not gaining anything by acting as a private citizen and as a member of a much-needed NGO.
On the contrary, you should start off any comment by thanking her.
As far as I know, SHE DOES NOT LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE FARM.
So, how is that for altruism (look it up if it's a problem for you)!!
@ Joseph Cauchi
Many thanks for your kind words. Please note however that the FAA is not just made up of Astrid Vella but many hard-working people who should also share the credit.
Should you and your neighbours want to become members of FAA, just register at our website at www.ambjentahjar.org and we can keep you updated on environmental developments.
Although this move is to bring the farms in line with EU policy, other policies are being ignored, such as the obligation to carry out an Environment Impact Assessment and a Strategic Impact Assessment. This is not an isolated case, to weigh up the implications for the farming This is just one case symptomatic of planning shortcomings that are impacting the whole sector.
The Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs has a policy on the animal husbandry industry and the re-location of animal farms.However, are these policies being applied in sustainable manner, taking into account the fast depletion of arable agricultural land? In a situation where a number of farms are facing closure because of competition, market trends and failure to meet environmental standards, is it wise to encourage the construction of new farms?Why are existing farming structures being allowed to be converted to industrial and other uses?
The Maghtab residents have had it for quite some time now!
When are the authorities going to take a stand and consider that in Maghtab there are people living also.
Thank you Astrid for taking this stand, all the people of Maghtab appreciate your difficult mission in combatting these injustices.
Why is it that in Malta, animals have more rights than humans?
What happened to the proposal of centralizing these cowfarms in a specified area, far from residential abodes, in the vicinity of Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi?
Aren't the authorities realizing the fact that some of these permits are a pretext for a future "change of use"?
Astrid, keep up the good work and the people of Maghtab thank you from the bottom of their heart.
Please MEPA, for God's sake, OPEN YOUR EYES !!!
1. MEPA don't even know where this place is.
2. The Farming is evaporating and that was stated last week.
3. Once the pirmit is issued, then they convert this site to Bangalows and Villas
Weldone to the person who runs MEPA .