Scrutiny of fireworks

It is very sad to see our European Member of Parliament Joseph Muscat lobbying hard so that, to reduce costs, the Maltese and Gozitan fireworks are not scrutinised for safety by the standard European certification system. It is even sadder to see that the EU Parliament internal market committee has approved a blind eye towards fireworks safety in Malta and Gozo.

Before the EU Parliament approves this madness they should come in summer and see all the fireworks illegalities such as illegal fireworks plastic casings imported from overseas, the exploding of metal gas bottles (lampieri), and the discharge of fireworks next to public places such as schools, where such permits are approved by the police. Who is going to take responsibility when people get hurt due to lack of safety? Why cannot we have the same fireworks standards as the EU so that the responsible fireworks organisations can export their beautiful art? Why is the government and its members protecting irresponsible fireworks organisations? Is the Church involved in such lobbying?

In the feudal Republic of Gozo where everything goes, my friends and I will keep fighting for our rights and the environment even though others will take credit for our hard work. Now we have to fight even harder because it seems we wasted our votes to be part of the EU and it is shameful that Maltese and Gozitans are still to be treated as second class citizens.