Laws on trespassing needed in rural areas

I would like to portray the true reality when it comes to protecting the land of legitimate owners in the countryside. I had written letters to this newspaper in the past asking the authorities for proper legislation regarding trespassing, including official signage in the countryside.

I had pointed out that as long as I can remember, my dad and I have been rebuilding rubble walls, replanting uprooted, damaged or burnt trees, cleaning the mess left behind by picnickers and counting the cost of other damage. This is because Malta lacks proper protection for land owners. Unfortunately, we cannot easily protect our land because the law states that walls cannot be more than 1.2 metres high, so anyone easily jumps over a low wall. Additionally, when we tried locking gates, it seems we were inviting people to break them.

Now it’s been years since we kept all the gates unlocked without incident but last weekend my brother found one of them smashed to pieces, while someone else tried to force the other open, although without success. Last year I even found evidence of someone trying to force open the door of the tool room. Why is this happening?

I speak to many friends and most simply don’t accept that the countryside is not all theirs. I am aware of the limited space for recreation but try imagining being a land owner and suffering damages because part of the Maltese population, including some visitors, are simply cheeky. Abroad I always see signs indicating private land in the countryside. Some of them even have barbed wire or electrical fencing. I’m not asking for such measures; some decency and common sense would be enough.

Most of the friends I speak to are ramblers and go for countryside walks, just like I do. But most of them expect to go wherever they please.

I simply stick to lanes and official public areas. Many people assume that land is not private because it is not agricultural land. I don’t have any statistics but I believe it is quite the opposite. There is more agricultural land leased from the government to individuals than other land which is private. When land is leased out it is privileged just the same.

Fortunately, another piece of land I own is surrounded by a very high wall and I found evidence of trespassing only once. I did get to know who the culprit was and the issue was solved. But should we start building high walls to keep trespassers out? Once again I ask the authorities for tangible steps towards proper trespassing legislation.