Government irresponsible to request exemption from air quality rules - FAA

Raymond Cutajar

Sep 5th 2009, 20:44

Dear minister Austin Gatt
do you honestly think that the public think positively when his or her car fails the VRT for emissions' reasons ?
This decision is another blow to the consciouse VRT operator and it dose not bode well
You are utterly out of your senses SICK not if I had to come across past issues of The Dandy, The Beano or Buzzer for that matter was it Cedric who could have saved ourMalta

Franco Farrugia

Sep 5th 2009, 20:26

I don't agree with J Farrugia's attack on Dr Debono. I have had previous arguments with Debono about cycling recently, but certainly I cannot dismiss his views about the environment - or indeed, about cycling itself. J Farrugia has the tendency of attacking anyone who speaks in favour of the environment and in favour of animals in general, and it is really unfortunate that we have people like him in our society because it is through people who believe the way he does that this country is suffering. Such mentality has stifled us from the progress registered by other European countries. It is with this in mind that I am ever thankful that we joined the EU when we did, for fear that the J Farrugias of this country will keep the country from progressing. I see absolutely nothing wrong in any part of the statement by FAA.

john borg

Sep 5th 2009, 19:40

il gvern tilef opportunita tad deheb fil bidu ta din is sena ,meta iddahhlu ir regolamenti il godda tar registrazzjoni tal karozzi.
1 kieku offra incentiv lill dawk is sidien li il vetturi taghhom huma qodma,bie x jicrappjaw
2 rahhas it taxxa tar registrazzjoni fuq il karozzi il godda

is sistema hadmet bil kontra, ghax il qodma se jibqghu maghna, u aktar qodma qed nimpurtaw!!!!
il gvern ma jistax jifhem li fejn jidhol l-ambjent ma jistax jghamel ghall zaqqu!!!

m.seager

Sep 5th 2009, 19:37

Take 2 steps back and have a look at the big picture...

Red,blue or green it does not matter......... very sad really, but true

@Mario Desira
I am lead to understand that the only qualification to be a warden is being 18 years old.

@ The rest

To be a politician only requires the vote of the publc

J Farrugia

Sep 5th 2009, 19:06

" Mr George Debono - your reports and your pro-cycling campaign mean nothing to us. Just empty words which cannot be translated to facts. So save your breath and enjoy the sunshine.

r pace bonello

Sep 5th 2009, 18:57

It is obvious that Dr Gatt has no interest whatsoever in resolving the emissions problem. There is no need for the public to report defaulters for the ADT to take action because all it takes is a couple of inspectors carrying out tests on the roads. The ADT is a farce. Can anybody imagine the disaster once this authority assumes responsibility for the whole transportation sector?

This is an initiative of the FAA I can support and one where it should assume leadership.. Perseverance is of the essence and the FAA should pursue this vigorously and relentlessly since this is a health issue and is not, in any way, controversial.

Mario Desira

Sep 5th 2009, 18:35

This is symptomatic of an incompetent government gone mad.
A few years back the government requested a delay in becoming EU compliant regarding lead in car emissions. Now this!
One would think government and the people behind this request live on the moon, and are not breathing the very same polluted air like the rest of us!
Sometimes I wonder what qualifications are for if these type of decisions are taken by people who are supposed to be qualified in their field. Children can make better judgements!!

diana cottis

Sep 5th 2009, 18:27

The FAA have every right to comment on the governments failure to uphold the right of all Maltese citizens to have decent air quality. It is an issue that affects us all. Recently I visited the UK and was surprised at how few vehicles there emit smoky exhaust - in two weeks I only saw two. Contrast that with the situation here where even fairly new cars emit smoke and buses positively belch it. I suspect that it is not just about additives and poor maintenance but also about fuel quality from ancient petrol stations or even from the supplier. The issue is the usual one - enforcement but political will is lacking (again). We are EU citizens now and deserve EU standards that other countries take for granted. Well done to the FAA for keeping up the pressure.

j busuttil

Sep 5th 2009, 18:09

How much will it cost this Faa action?

Anthony Roberts

Sep 5th 2009, 16:06

What was the point of asking for the public's comments and ideas if nothing is going to be done. What a waste of time and energy

m.seager

Sep 5th 2009, 15:56

Has anyone seen the constant smog over Los Angeles (Bill Milliam ,from LA accepted) ?

The issue in Malta is that people are getting hacked off with eco this eco tax that and nothing is done with regards to the policy of good for GVN and public transport and bad for the rigorous testing that us mere mortals have to endure when undergoing the same examinations.

It appears that there is two different sets of weights and measures...

How can one sit behind a bus on and hill and not consider this ?

Agreed the population of Malta is nothing compared to 11 million (ish) in LA but if a half decent breeze blows its out to sea in a heart beat here..

The U.S have still not cut back on emissions / ratified re dangerous cfc's (kyoto agreement)
but have also gone after the little man in comparison to the corporate as we are doing here.

Are people scared of the lobbying of the bus drivers and developers etc ?

Stop making it a red or blue issue but do your best to promote yr carbon footprint!!!

Chris Busuttil

Sep 5th 2009, 14:34

Putting this off until 2010 should not be an option. It is unbelievably polluted here the number of cars I see every morning spewing black smoke seems to have increased. I was one of the individuals who diligently sent text messages when I saw vehicles emitting black smoke but must say have lost faith in the system. It's about time Malta and the Maltese get there heads out of the sand. We always get things done when it's too late. Unfortunately it seems that if people don't see a direct effect on themselves then they don't see the problem. Lets wake up!!

E. Azzopardi

Sep 5th 2009, 14:32

I thought that health was the top priority for this government of ours. It should have NEVER applied for an exemption and EU should NEVER accept this. Are we going to progress or not? This is after five years now. Were we prepared to go into the EU or not? Our ministers should go to Slovenia, Latvia etc ( I did not say Germany or France!) and learn of their progress. So we are going to suffer all these emissions for another two years, thanks to our government. Incredible!.

Darren J. Galea

Sep 5th 2009, 14:05

It seems some of you are more that ready to put political allegance and personal gain before the health of your children.

George Debono

Sep 5th 2009, 14:01

@ Mr N Calleja

I assure you that there is nothing alarmist inn the FAA document - it is all based on scientifically proven facts.

– on what evidence do you base your remark???

Life span has indeed increased in general – But life span it is shorter in people who are exposed to pollution (by 3 months to 3 years – depending on the severity of the pollution) in comparison to peole who live in unpolluted areas (eg out in the country away from urban environment) .

This is a FACT based on huge long-term surveys. (Eg the American Cancer Society survey in 5,000,000 people followed over 20 yrears and others)

So, please inform yourself before saying something is alarmist. (how about reading that report?? Eh?? )

G

Joseph Galea

Sep 5th 2009, 13:53

I am no big fan of FAA, based on their past way of doing things, but on this issue they are spot on!

Raymond Cutajar

Sep 5th 2009, 13:51

Can we read what the Maltese govt. requested from brussels regarding the above headline ?
While we are in the thick and thin of all this what about our MEP Mr Simon Busutil? Am I wrong then of harbouring ( perhaps like thousands of others) positive inclinations that he always was ready to put his immense political weight on the local ever inflating ( wish it is printable) ballon and supress it -in return the compressor supplying the air to the ballon eventually goes PUFF Pitifully for the ever Aspireing Pro Euro Maltese ( REALY FEELS CHEATED) this is truly a blow below the belt
SHAME ON YOU Dr Laurence Gonzi and Co. afterallyouhavebeenrunningthiscountrysinceYESTERYEARS!!!!!

George Debono

Sep 5th 2009, 13:49

Addendum to previous blog:

A bit more for Mr Farrugia’s benefit:

The threat to our health from pollution is a scientifically proven FACT. As long as Malta’s high level of traffic pollution is allowed to continue our health (and our childrens’) will suffer.

More recently, the highly-respected UK Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) further strengthened the case against pollution from vehicle exhaust: They stated that there was little doubt that long-term exposure to air pollutants decrease life expectancy".

In spite of this our Transport Authority, our Environment Authority and our Health Department continue to ignore the scientifically proven fact that the health of people and especially children, continues to be jeopardised by blatant pollution from our buses (including many private company buses) and many other diesel-powered vehicles.

Mr Farrugia: If you have children who are growing up in our polluted atmosphere, then you should be very worried, especially if you live in a heavily built-up area.

Read my report, Mr Farrigia.........and then we can talk.....

G

Franco Farrugia

Sep 5th 2009, 13:47

Alarmist? Do you think so? So, when the whole of Europe accepts certain principles and our country's government continually requests exemptions from this, that and the other, you claim that this NGO is alarmist? I rather think that you simply don't know what's happening around you. What James Green says, exactly.

john fenech

Sep 5th 2009, 13:45

So far, the government have asked for a stay on most of the EU directives, or else we are not totally compliant. To a certain extent, one might reason that the cost to implement the Directives at this stage might be detrimental to the economy. On the other hand before our entry into the EU we have to assume that the NP have balanced the pros & cons.

However, it is the general perception that we are finding it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to manage the changes required in reasonable time to come in line with the EU directives!

Hence, the government action is in inverse ratio to political rhetoric! This is evident in the agricultural& husbandry, water pollution & water reuse, wastewater treatment, pollution of air dust & noise, Renewable & Bio energy and other services, which should have improved substantial since we joined the EU five years ago!

George Debono

Sep 5th 2009, 13:39

@JFarrugia

your remarks about Ms Vella are wrong, insulting and totally out of place

First of all, Mr Farruggia, maybe you can tell me how civic-minded you are and what YOU do for your country?

If you do nothing, then you have no right to criticize others who work selflessly to put some things right in this country. If you think that there is no pollution problem and that our heritage and environment is not being degraded – then you must be blind…

Pease note that FAA has a wide membership and does not consist only of Ms Vella.........AND please note that I (a founder members of FAA) am responsible for the contents of this report - and not Mrs vella. This is because my duties in FAA, as a one of several FAA committee members, cover all environmental matters, namely anything to do with pollution or renewable energy.

I have been lobbying against the severe pollution in Malta for years on the basis and I am the lead author of a report* which you should read before uttering nonsense in public.

G


*Towards a Low Carbon Society: The Nation’s Health, Energy Security and fossil fuels.

availalble.from gdmc@kemmunet.net.mt



.

James A. Tyrrell

Sep 5th 2009, 13:23

@J Farrugia. Obviously you have a problem with women in general. Time you woke up and smelt the coffee as we are now living in the 21st century and woman have as much right to an opinion as men. I think you will also find that woman do a much better job than men wherever you go in the world.

By the way the FAA do not obstruct everything the Government do so stop trying to stir it. Also the FAA have on many occasions spoken out against projects supported by Labour and their supporters so stop trying to make out that what they do is political as it quite clearly isn't.

By trying to gag the FAA you are trying to gag the voices of the little people in Malta. Without organisations like FAA these people would have no one to speak on their behalf. And before you say that they can speak for themselves, who amongst you would listen? The words of FAA make a difference. Your words mean nothing.

J. Borg

Sep 5th 2009, 13:13

and all this is the "national" interest!

bring on the greens....

James Green

Sep 5th 2009, 12:51

Similar to our notorious vehicle 'registration' tax we seem be saddled with all the responsabilities but few of the benefits of EU membership.

James A. Tyrrell

Sep 5th 2009, 12:48

The question here is does the Maltese Government care about the health of its people? The answer quite simply is no it doesn't.

EU rules on air quality and traffic pollution are there for a reason and requesting an exemption from those rules should not be an option.

FAA have done and continue to do a lot of good for the Maltese people and as a voluntary organisation with no political axe to grind require and indeed deserve the support of every right thinking Maltese citizen.

Whilst some people may disagree with FAA for their own political motives or because they themselves are involved in development, supporting them in this instance is a no brainer. At least it is if you care about your own health and the health of your children.

N.Calleja

Sep 5th 2009, 12:38

The FAA seems to have become a very alarmist NGO. Whilst agreeing that the world has increased its pollution, I am against alarmism. I am also very sceptical about certain international reports. All I know is that despite all this alarmism live span has increased greatly. Octagianains are very common nowadays when before deaths were common among sixty year olds.

Paul Barrett

Sep 5th 2009, 12:26

I had the unfortunate luck to be behind a smoking bus yesterday morning in slow moving traffic. This was bad enough but then a bus coming the opposite way, also moving slowly was also smoking and all of a sudden the car was filled with smoke and fumes, I had a total black out of vision and could hardly breath. Luckily I did not hit anything and nothing hit me but it was only through luck.
I did think about the SMS system but the smoke was so blatant from both vehicles that one can only conclude that these vehicles are exempt or have a different standard to other vehicles.

G. Camilleri

Sep 5th 2009, 11:58

I received a similar document from EC stating malta exemption from air quality rules ! Big shame on PN !!

They are hiding results from us ! Cancer and asthma on the rise ! Wonder why, no pollution regulations people !!

J Farrugia

Sep 5th 2009, 11:56

This woman and her FAA shield will do a big service if they stop obstructing all that this government does, and close their mouths, or else put her money where her big mouth is. When the people of Malta elect her (if ever they do) to speak on their behalf she will have all the right in the world to do what the government is not doing. And then we will see the results of women in power. God forbid if ever this woman is given some sort of power. She will put us all behind bars.

S. Calleja

Sep 5th 2009, 11:36

Can we for once have some positive news regarding Malta? The impression one gets by reading the news is that it's the worse country in the world to live in. If things are THAT bad, then, seriously, is it worth living here?

J.Bonnici

Sep 5th 2009, 11:27

How pathetic! The general public is not the competent authority to judge car emissions. Cars might not be emitting visible smoke and yet they can still pose a health risk. I thought Austin Gatt would do away with such nonsense.

Edward Camilleri

Sep 5th 2009, 11:27

This is amazing! requesting an exemption so that we live more in filth!

This is a vicious cycle, the more traffic pollution, the more obese we are becoming, and the more unhealthy. We have come to a point where it is not possible to walk/cycle or otherwise because of the traffic pollution.