Peter Gingell, marketing executive, Mepa, Floriana.
Pig farm in livestock enclave
Reference is made to the article entitled Permit For Pig Farm 20 Metres From Residences (April 11) whereby readers were given the impression that this outline permit was granted in a residential area. We would like to clarify that this rural area in Magħtab is predominantly devoted to farms. The permitted development will be close to another 10 operational farms, as the attached map clearly indicates.
Acknowledging that mistakes have been made in the past, the Prime Minister in his speech to Mepa employees earlier this week, also made reference to the fact that the public must understand the difficult role that the Authority faces in finding a "delicate" balance between development and its negative impact. While the Authority understands that such a development may be an inconvenience to the three families living in close proximity, its decision strictly adheres to the policies and regulations of this area.
In this island, which is one of the most densely populated places in the world, we do not have the luxury to eliminate every inconvenience that a particular development may cause, so decision-making needs to adhere to codes of law and established guidelines. The point raised that any livestock farming must be at least 183 metres away applies only in cases where the inhabited or residential area is within scheme or the area adjacent to the application is inhabited by more than 100 persons. In this planning application the development is in an ODZ area, which probably accommodates Malta's largest enclave of livestock farms. So things need to be kept in perspective.
"So if you set your sights on a quaint little house in the countryside, in an area that is predominately shaped with operational farms, you should perhaps picture how it might look with an additional permitted farm standing right next to it before you go ahead and buy it." Why not?
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John Portelli
Apr 16th 2008, 15:38
Instead of showing such a superfluous plan, why not show what is really happening on some of those farms. I am quite sure readers would like to know how these farms are being used for other activities, such as aluminium works, storage of construction machinery, animal slurry dumped abusively, and owners applying for change of use after abandoning the livestock farms for year.
What about the fact that most of the farms have first been built and eventually applied for sanctioning!
Marco Cremona
Apr 15th 2008, 21:15
MEPA's own map shows that the new pig farm is located immediately adjacent to residences, and as far as possible from the farms as possible - and this to satisfy a policy that has been declared irrelevant by the same Director of the Veterinary Services !
Admittedly Malta does not have the luxury to eliminate every inconvenience.... but et's be reasonable and have some proper land use planning.
mark tanti
Apr 15th 2008, 20:59
Well done to Peter Gingell for his good explanation not only in writting but also by using visual aids. This is what I expect from MEPA. The use of visual aids in such explanations help us to understand better the situation. Do these residents pretend that they should dictate what an authority should decide. How do they pretend to stop a farmer from opening a pig farm when the area is dedicated to farms as shown in the above map.. Mr Cauchi pigs do not have more rights than human beings but the owner of the farm is a human being who has the right to make a living like youself.
Joseph Cauchi
Apr 15th 2008, 18:19
Since when do pigs have more rights than humans?
What about our health?
This charade must stop NOW!
It is very easy for Mr Gingell to quote regulations, but do these regulations make sense? Why does not MEPA start doing its job properly by at least taking the initiative to centralise all these farms in areas far from areas which are popular with residents?
laurence schembri
Apr 15th 2008, 13:16
Perhaps Peter Gingell is not allergic to smells and dirt. To each his own!
John Portelli
Apr 15th 2008, 10:38
We still cannot understand why MEPA is still avoiding to acknowledge the fact that policy 1.3B: AMENITY, Policy 1.3D: Protection of Landscape features (soil conservation) and Policy 2.3C: New or relocated livestock farms have ALL BEEN BREACHED with the granting of this outline permit.
What is the use of publishing policy and guideance documents( Policy and Design Guidance - Agricultural, Farm Diversification and Stables - Approved Document - December 2007) if these are ignored or used to ones whims? Are these not intended to protect the citizens of Malta and not use this against them? Are we not ALL equal ODZ or NOT ODZ we should enjoy the same rights to enjoy our home in a safe and peacful manner?
Further more, all the farms indicated by MEPA have been constructed post 1992 and most of which have been constructed without any permits with enforcement notices being issued against practically all of them.
Also, the Maghtab and surrounding area is predominantly Arable Agricultural land and not Animal farming.
We cannot afford to continue loosing MORE agricultural land to farms that eventually are being converted to all sorts of other uses.
Maybe Mr. Gingell would like to enlighten us?