Magħtab residents appeal against proposed cow farm

Residents on the outskirts of Magħtab have launched a last ditch appeal against a permit for a cow farm which is being recommended for approval close to their homes.

The Magħtab Residents Association pointed out that while they were still “battling” over appeals against the outline (preliminary) permit and an outline permit for a pig farm a few metres away, the case officer report for the full permit was completed with a fav-ourable recommendation, which will be heard tomorrow.

By recommending a grant, the case officer was prejudicing the appeal process, the association pointed out.

In this connection, they mentioned the testimony of Anthony Gruppetta, Director General of Agriculture and Fisheries Regulation, who confirmed the existence of regulations that impose a buffer zone with residential properties but said these rules were not enforced.

They also contested the case officer’s report which said that “no scheme for residential development is present at 200 metres from this farm and that the hub of the Magħtab residential settlement lies approximately 500 metres away from this site”. They insisted that the nearest residence is 50 meters away from the proposed cow farm.

In addition to known health risks, animal farms were potentially a serious environmental risk, they said. Dust and harmful gases would pollute the air while antibiotics given to the animals in their feeds would be deposited in the soil.

If such farms could be placed away from residences and regulated for noise, air and soil quality, they could contribute to the food industry and economy of the country.

If these conditions cannot be upheld, any authority allowing such farms goes against the spirit of the Laws of Malta and the regulations governing such developments, the association said.