IPPC workshop

"Preparing an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit application is both time-consuming and expensive, and it is imperative that management are fully prepared for the process," FOI Environment Committee chairman Godwin Micallef, who is also a council member, said.

He was making a presentation at a one-and-a-half-day workshop held on June 10 and 11, which focused on IPPC. "Regardless of whether your company is prepared or not, early planning is essential," he added.

The workshop aimed at enabling delegates to understand the underlying reasons for the control of certain installations through the IPPC permitting regime, including sustainability and waste minimisation issues.

It also provided an introduction to the Best Available Technique (BAT) and raised awareness of BAT Reference (BREFs) and other guidance available.

Mr Micallef, who also co-chaired the event with Louis Vella, acting assistant director, MEPA, explained: "The IPPC Directive of 1996 introduced the concept of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control and it is now affecting a growing range of industrial sectors, presenting a very real issue for today's management.

"Under IPPC, various categories of industrial activities all have to be considered when preparing an application for an IPPC permit. Fundamental to the submission of a 'duly made' application are the consideration of BAT and the submission of a site condition survey.

"Collating the significant quantities of information required for an IPPC permit application is a task and can be easily underestimated."

Mr Micallef added: "The major IPPC installations are the energy industry (Enemalta) and waste management (landfills). They are the major pollutants. If they have to comply with the IPPC Directive applying BAT, then all the Authority has to do is to increase the rates or taxes to the detriment of the taxpayer, including industry.

"Consequently industry will be hit from both sides. From one side because it has to incur various costs to conform with the Directive and from the other because it has to subsidise the major IPPC installations indirectly through rates or taxes so that they conform to the Directive."

The federation believes that a proper survey has not been carried out "to, scientifically, identify the IPPC installations. The list that MEPA is working on is an 'in house' survey.

"The Environment Committee within the FOI was fortunate enough to meet George Clapton and some other experts to discuss the twinning project with Malta. It was a very fruitful discussion where valid ideas were exchanged.

"The project is very ambitious and we sincerely hope that it will meet all its objectives. We look forward to collaborate and be consulted at all stages. We presume our members will also have the opportunity to go on the planned study visits to UK."