FAA queries application for cow farm at Magħtab

John Portelli

Aug 29th 2008, 14:30

For clarity sake, for all those slinging mud and the Maghtab residents, as per the Central Malta Local Plans, Maghtab is classified as a settlement. A settlement of Category 2 and thus to be considered as an inhabited area, just as much as any other town or village in Malta.
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.

Ivan Vella

Aug 27th 2008, 21:01

Please, someone enlighten me: is this ODZ?

Franco Farrugia

Aug 27th 2008, 19:35

@ Ivan Vella - Once again, Mr Vella chooses to attack the work of an NGO. I wonder why. I really, wonder, why!

Joseph Cauchi

Aug 27th 2008, 19:20

I cannot understand how some people reason!!!

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 !!!

Franco Farrugia

Aug 27th 2008, 18:19

@ J Farrugia - If you don't want to agree with what Ms Vella has to say, it's within your right, but do not steep low and touch rock-bottom by attacking her personally.
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)!!

J. Schembri

Aug 27th 2008, 17:51

My question is why are there residences in an area designated for farms?

Ivan Vella

Aug 27th 2008, 17:35

This was a serious slip by Astrid Vella. Couldn't she realise that the (few) residents here are wrong in opposing a cow- and pig-fram? This is a rural area designated for such farms. In the past, some people went to live in the area, probably in existing farmhouses. Of course, a farmhouse with pool is highly valued, but no one can expect to protect their views and seclusion and disregard the fact that this is not a development zone for normal houses and that it is, in actual fact, a zone for farms. When Astrid Vella opposes anything and everything that crops up, even if the residents here are obviously wrong, the credibility of her other campaigns suffers as well.

J Farrugia

Aug 27th 2008, 16:06

Do you want a farm near your residence? I don't! So where shall we put them, on filfla? I think that Astrid Vella has got nothing better to do.

Astrid Vella

Aug 27th 2008, 14:45

@ 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.

Astrid Vella

Aug 27th 2008, 14:41

FAA is even more concerned now that this permit has been issued.At a time when the whole world is highlighting the importance of locally-grown food, Malta is becoming increasingly dependent on imported produce.The swallowing-up of agricultural land for structures which can be accommodated elsewhere is accelerating this tendency.

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?

Joseph Cauchi

Aug 27th 2008, 09:25

What's next?

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 !!!

Anthony A. Mifsud

Aug 27th 2008, 08:59

How simple can it be to get a Sunction for development.!!
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 .