Labour launches draft environmental policy

The Labour Party yesterday launched a draft environmental document which will form the basis of the environmental policy it aims to propose to its next general conference in October.

The document, which is on the party's website, has already been discussed by the MLP parliamentary group and will continue being discussed within the party, with non-governmental organisations and with all who express an interest.

Once finalised the policy will form part of the party's electoral manifesto.

Launching the document yesterday, MLP environmental spokesman Joe Mizzi said the party was committed to improving the environment.

"The party does not feel that foreign influence is required for corrective measures to be taken. With goodwill, good use of resources and through the capabilities of the Maltese, the environment can be improved," he said.

The party, Mr Mizzi said, believed that the environment should be a priority on the country's political agenda.

Environmental policy should be based on an intensive educational campaign aimed at creating awareness and spreading knowledge on the importance of the environment in people's lives.

Mr Mizzi said that environmental neglect in Malta was no coincidence, but the result of lack of implementation of principles to safeguard and preserve the environment, incompetent management and inefficient administrative structures.

A new Labour government would set up new structures and improve existing ones to help people take action in the common interest, the document says.

It says the MLP believes that the environment is the people's heritage and everyone has the right to enjoy it.

Mr Mizzi said the party's environmental policy would be aimed at reflecting nine principles.

These would include the safeguarding of the country's natural environment, particularly threatened flora and fauna, control of air, sea and land pollution, and the conservation of resources and recycling whenever this is possible.

A new Labour government would adopt the moderation, responsibility and precautionary principles. Alternative technologies using sustainable energy would be used and unsustainable development would not be allowed.

An MLP government would adopt the polluter pays principle and draw up strategies aimed at protecting the environment according to the country's circumstances.

Proposals being made in the document include the consideration of high-rise buildings, the protection of the country's coast, the installation of precipitators in power station chimneys and the introduction of controls on noise levels in residential zones according to World Health Organisation limits.

The document is also proposing the separation of waste, regional composting plants and the closure of Maghtab shortly after a new Labour government is elected.

This, Mr Mizzi said, would be replaced with an engineered landfill. A suitable site would only be chosen according to acceptable international standards.

The document is also proposing the retention of current hunting and trapping regulations.

www.mlp.org.mt