Pounds, shillings and waste

Just over a year ago, we had launched the Recycle Tuesday scheme whereby a weekly door-to-door collection service was offered for dry recyclable waste. To date, through this scheme, (excluding separated waste from Bring-in sites) and thanks to the collaboration of the public, we have collected over 8,000 tons of separated waste.

However, we cannot rest on our laurels and our efforts to promote a change in culture must continue so that more and more waste is separated at source and recycled to cut down on the use of engineered landfills. We are also exploring ways and means of generating more energy from waste. To this end, we altered the charges payable for disposing of mixed waste in the landfill.

These new rates are intended to spur individuals into separating waste at source. From October 1, local councils are charged €20 for disposing of mixed waste as against a paltry 50c for separated waste.

To incentivise councils even further, the government has also handed them the responsibility for managing the Bring-in sites.

This move should encourage local councils to improve their respective waste collection services and motivate residents to make more use of them, ultimately creating a situation where local councils will have more funds in hand that can be better invested in other projects for the benefit of the community - October 8.

'Playing' with the big boys

Next year, a product aimed at combating periodontal (mouth gum) disease will be launched on the European market. Gilles Gutierrez, the French scientist who discovered the cells that will be used in this product, has strong links with Malta. Only last week, he was awarded the prestigious prize for research by the Louis Pasteur Institute.

Mr Gutierrez came to Malta more than 15 years ago. He had struck a partnership with Maltese scientist Charles Saliba. Together, they had set up the Institute for Marine Algae that developed into the Institute of Cellular Pharmacology (ICP), which today operates from the Mosta Technopark. The marine algae, retrieved by Maltese divers, are treated and transformed into medicinal products.

Research in this area also led to a discovery that may in turn contribute to an improvement in mineral bone density for osteoporosis ailments. The research is now being led by two Maltese doctors, namely Mark Brincat and gynaecologist Ray Galea.

What am I getting at? This is a story that highlights the potential of research.

Locally, there are a number of individuals who are capable of giving this kind of contribution and the government is committed to creating more opportunities for this type of research to flourish - October 6.

By George... we're almost there

Seven and a half weeks are left to complete Pjazza San Ġorġ in Valletta. This morning I hosted a media event on site to see the progress underway. The whole square was dug up, services were laid, the fountain in the middle of the square has taken shape and the laying of the non-slip paving is in full swing.

Pjazza San Ġorġ is indeed a gem in the centre of our capital city complementing the majestic President's Palace. We decided to give Piazza San Ġorġ a complete overhaul not just by resurfacing the square itself but also by installing a large ground fountain. We went for this design option because it would give us the flexibility for the water jets to be switched off and sealed whenever the square needs to be used for a parade or any activity of national importance. This square epitomises the heart of Valletta and for this reason we felt the need to give it a new lease of life and to ensure that it is patronised by people rather than cars - September 29.

Millions of reasons to say 'yes'

A total of €27 million invested by farmers and herdsmen in infrastructural projects. Impressive, isn't it? A sizeable vote of confidence in the agricultural sector. Thanks to one of the EU aid schemes - Measure 121 - about 180 farmers and herdsmen will be able to recover half the amount they will be investing to improve the sector. This translates itself into better quality local products for local consumers to enjoy and will give farmers and herdsmen a competitive edge in the open market. The funds farmers and herdsmen will be receiving are non-taxable. It is encouraging to note that almost half of the first 180 beneficiaries are under 40 years of age.

In the coming days, applications will be received for five other measures forming part of the EU Rural Development Programme 2007-2013. To date, we have already launched 14 measures out of a total of 18 envisaged in the plan. This demonstrates the government's commitment to strengthen the sector by implementing the Rural Development Programme in the shortest possible timeframe.

I announced the results of Measure 121 inside a huge greenhouse in Mġarr belonging to two brothers who invested about €130,000. These two brothers will be recouping half their expenses through this measure.

Yesterday, I thanked them and all the other farmers and herdsmen who were the major catalysts in the radical change this sector has witnessed in the last five years and who are showing confidence in the sector because they are continuing to invest in it. All this shows how right we were and how wrong people like Joseph Muscat were in their scaremongering tactics when they had said that farmers and herdsmen would die of starvation if Malta had to join the EU - September 27.

The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.

www.georgepullicino.blogspot.com