What comes after the revolution?

Zine El Abidine Ben Ali resigned. Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Protests in Yemen. An uprising against Muammar Gaddafi. The anger of populations deprived for decades is being heard. While the few benefited, the majority lagged behind. Those who dared speak up were arrested, tortured, imprisoned or exiled.

Boiling point was bound to be reached. Many of the leaders in the Arab world are of a certain age. Mr Mubarak is 82 years old, Mr Ben Ali is 74 and Colonel Gaddafi is almost 70. Advanced ages in stark contrast to the populations they governed. Sixty per cent of the population in the region is under 21 years of age and, therefore, only know life under such leadership. In the meantime, job opportunities are scarce.

Patience has run out and a revolution has begun. It seems the wave of protest is unstoppable. We will see new leadership emerge, yet the direction has still to be determined. Will we see Islamic democracies, open and pluralist such as that in Turkey, or Islamic fundamentalism that continues to suppress free speech, as in Iran?

It is difficult to predict. While we must keep in mind the particularities of each country in the region, I hope the Turkish model is followed. While, over the coming weeks and months, developments will unfold, the West, in turn, must re-examine its own policies towards the region and engage in developing a policy of solidarity – March 11.

Towards fewer abandoned dogs

The need for a better system for the licensing of dogs in Malta has long been felt. While it is estimated there are about 100,000 dogs, only about 5,000 are registered with the police, as stipulated by law. This makes it easier for dogs to be abandoned. This morning, I announced the publication of new regulations that will make it obligatory for all dogs to be microchipped as well as registered. The aim is to ensure greater control over dogs so that fewer will be abandoned; there will be fewer threats to and more protection of public health and a central database with a full register of dogs and their owners can be set up.

In fact, each dog will be injected with a small microchip – slightly bigger than a grain of rice – under the skin at the back of its neck. Each microchip will have a unique identification number for each dog, which will be associated with the owner’s details. Owners will be given a receipt by the vet of their choice, after which the government will issue a licence for each dog, which will be sent to the owner by post. The licence is valid for the length of the dog’s life.

We have ensured this system does not translate into greater costs for dog owners over and above present expenses that cannot be avoided. The regulations now in place stipulate that dog owners must pay €2.33 a year for a dog licence. If the average life expectancy of a dog is 10 years, dog owners were obliged to pay €23.30 over 10 years. Microchipping will cost €10 for neutered dogs and €20 for those that are not. It is, therefore, incorrect to say this is another means for the government to collect money. Neutered dogs are being positively discriminated against to encourage neutering and reduce the potential for stray animals.

To make these regulations as effective as possible, information leaflets will be distributed in all homes and dog owners will be given booklets informing them of their obligations. For example, if a dog changes owner, the Director for Veterinary Regulations must be notified within seven days. In such cases, a new licence is issued without payment.

This is another concrete initiative in favour of effective animal protection, complementing the infrastructure we have already put into place – March 9.

What beauty!

If only all days began like today! This morning I visited the Bird Park in Salini, home to about 4,000 birds and animals, including swans, flamingos, pelicans, vultures and storks, to name but a few, that are cared for by the dedicated Kevin and Rita, who literally built this park from scratch.

Following a €380,000 investment, €190,000 of which came from EU financial assistance, Kevin and Rita are now building a Visitors’ Centre, which will be open to the public by the end of May. This development will complement the continuous government investment in the Salini area, attracting and welcoming more students, families and tourists.

The Bird Park is one of the initiatives receiving assistance from a programme for the maintenance and embellishment of the natural and cultural heritage of rural areas. A total of €33 million is being invested in projects such as parks, the restoration of historic monuments in rural areas and the organisation of country walks. In total, about 26 projects in 22 localities will receive assistance. These projects will serve to improve the quality of life of residents in rural areas, create recreational areas for families and generate new jobs as well as economic activity.

The park will also be educational, emphasising the beauty of biodiversity and the need for conservation. A comment that Rita made this morning struck me: “It’s not a matter of us adopting the animals but the animals adopting us.” How true! Kevin is guarded by two whooper swans, while Rita is closely watched over by Elizabeth, a grey crown crane, and Dino the parrot – March 3.

Catch the drop

Last Friday, I launched the campaign Catch The Drop at a Rabat school. This water conservation campaign will last until March 22, World Water Day, culminating in an activity in St George’s Square, Valletta. It was a wonderful event, where the enthusiasm of the school’s head, teachers and students alike was evident. I gave the students a sculpture of a drop made from recycled plastic in which they could deposit suggestions for the conservation of water. This drop, made by Joe Barbara, will be taken to schools sited close to the aqueduct that was built by Grand Master Wignacourt to transport water to the capital city.

I firmly believe children are the best ambassadors for the conservation of resources as was seen by the success of EkoSkola. Through this campaign, we will spread the message that although water is readily available every time we open a tap we cannot afford to waste this important resource. The Water Services Corporation reduced the extraction of groundwater both through reducing wastage and by increasing the production of water from the reverse osmosis plant so that we would have ever increasing quality water.

This campaign was launched in Rabat because it is a town inextricably linked to agriculture. EU financial assistance has allowed some 75 farmers to benefit from about €3 million in funds to build reservoirs, the total volume of which adds up to 47,000 cubic metres of water. Over the next couple of months, the government will be taking further conservation measures that will also be cost-effective. It doesn’t make sense to build a large infrastructure that costs millions of euros when we can produce the same volume of water through sewage treatment. We will also move towards building soakaway reservoirs so that the water collected will penetrate the aquifer.

This is being done, for example, between Gżira and Kappara. This reservoir will cost about €600,000 and will be co-financed by the EU – February 27.

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The author is Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs.