Maghtab cow farm approved
The upper red box in this photo of Magħtab marks the cow farm, while the lower red box marks a pig farm, which residents are also appealing against. The small yellow dots show residential homes.
The approved dairy farm in Maghtab which early today was granted a full development permit by the Environment and Planning Commission is in accordance with all planning policies and regulations, Mepa said.
It said in a statement that the permitted development, which will be built within the rural settlement of Maghtab close to a number of other operational farms, had been granted an outline development permit in 2008.
The farm was being opposed by residents who this week launched a last ditch appeal against the development, pointing out that they were still "battling" over appeals against the outline although the full permit was completed with a favourable recommendation.
They pointed out that, by recommending a grant, the case officer was prejudicing the appeal process, the association pointed out.
Mepa said this evening that the farm's site was within an area which has, for the past 50 years, been predominantly committed for the operation of numerous livestock farms including poultry, pigs, rabbits and other dairy farms. It was also characterised by many stables and intensive agriculture related establishments.
"The application for the dairy farm was backed by the clearance and no objection issued by all the competent authorities normally consulted during the processing of similar development proposals, including the Department of Environmental Health, Malta Resources Authority, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Veterinary Services," it said.
Mepa said that during the public hearing, Koperattiva Produtturi Halib, explained that the approved dairy farm was to be constructed according to the Code of Good Agricultural Practices and, therefore, had the appropriate design to ensure proper animal welfare, waste management and hygiene practices in full respect of environmental protection.
The permit included extensive conditions to ensure that these standards were fully implemented, including an Environmental Permit regulating the farm's operations.
"Such farms need to be located at least 183 metre away from the development zone, which distance is the threshold stipulated in the relevant policy."
Residents insist that the nearest residence is 50 meters away from the proposed cow farm.
Mepa, however, said:
"The nearest schemed urban settlements are more than a kilometre away from the development site.
"Residential units within the Maghtab area are mostly agricultural buildings converted for habitation and are sparsely spread amongst the existing operational farms.
"Whilst MEPA notes that the residents of such converted farmhouses may view the dairy farm permit with apprehension it is to be appreciated that Maghtab has been used for the operation of livestock farms for over 50 years.
"It is better, from a planning point of view, to concentrate were possible such livestock farms in an already dedicated area like Maghtab, rather than distribute them along the rest of our limited countryside.
"Moreover, all necessary measures of abatement will be the subject of environment permit conditions," Mepa said.
The authority said that with the introduction of the new environment and planning legislation, through the MEPA reform earlier this year, this planning permit would be temporarily suspended for 30 days giving registered objectors the right to submit an appeal.
The Environment and Planning Review Tribunal had the right to confirm the suspension on the permit pending the hearing of the appeal, it said.
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Rene Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2011, 11:41
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior, I think you don't know, that at the moment there is not enough milk produced from the farms. It's either there need to be more dairy farms, or maltese consumers are prefering to buy local Maltese milk. Either way, you have no reason!
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Aug 6th 2011, 18:20
Has anyone asked the question, whether there really exists the need to build more dairy farms in Malta, when the consumption of locally produced milk is on the decline?
One has only to go to the new supermarkets on the island to see what the Maltese are actually buying, if not imported EU milk?
One is bound to doubt the true intentions of applying to build such type of farms, when the probability of commercial success is NIL!
Or is it a pretext for “other” developments when the time is ripe to apply to MEPA, for a “Change of Use”?
We all know the game what most of the speculators play; and thus we continue to encourage such “adventurism” – Why?
JC.
Rene Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2011, 06:59
The truth is that milk is not on the decline, infact at the moment the production is less than the demand!'
Maltese consumers, have the right to choose! They can choose between fresh milk or imported milk. The healthier option is said to be the fresh option, and who want the BEST for their family, they choose local milk. Others can choose imported milk. The truth is that within 24hours, the fresh milk gets out of the cow, it is ready on the market! Whilst imported milk is gathered from farns every 3 days, and usually sterilized or treated in order to have a long life. This means it will loose many of the milk nutritional values.
It is true, that commercially, the financial success in Malta is not extremely high. But definately not for the same reason you gave. The reason is that, in order to produce high quality milk which can compete with the best in Europe, we need to import forage from abroad, at extremely high prices. We need to pay extra for transportation, which other countries don't need to pay, since Malta is an island and transportation have to be done by shipping. Due to the small fields, we cannot make silage like in all other countries. That is the true reason, why dairy business is not a job you can get rich out of! ...But, our success is higher, why experts from all over the world, come, and ask us,' How are you able to produce such excellent milk quality, and keep the cows such healthy without having any resources, limited land, not enough water.....etc? And that is what we are proud of!
The biggest lie of Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior, is that dairy farmers apply for MEPA permissions, and when they have permission, then they apply for 'Change of Use'. First of all most farms are build on Government land, and thus when a dairy farmer get the permission from MEPA , it clearly states that one cannot change the use other for agricultural purposes.
More than than who is silly enough, you think, to make a dairy farm, invest in machinery to milk the cows
(at least around Euros 50,000), and change the use of the application to make a Farm House!)
Come on! Before you write something first be aware of what you are saying!
Joseph Grech Attard
Aug 6th 2011, 10:31
I wish only to point out that "..Maghtab has been used for the operation of livestock farms for over 50 years... " is no argument. We were not in the Eu in those days. MEPA has changed many laws to accommodate (rightly or wrongly) other persons. Other, more credible reasons, should be forwarded. Otherwise dairy farms need to be built for the benefit of all.
Chris J Vassallo
Aug 6th 2011, 10:21
How does MEPA expect to gain any respect when it breaks its own rules and policies?
In this case we have MEPA, the guardian of these policies openly breaking its own rules. This is wrong and it’s very serious!
People invest their entire life on the strength that the state has the structures to protect their investment. Unfortunately the people in power and MEPA fail to see the bigger picture when they openly break policies that undermine property rights:
Who will invest in Malta when our planning cannot even follow a basic rule book? How can Malta move forward when we continue to destroy value rather than creating it?
Those who think this is petty and this can't happen to you. Think again.
David Farrugia
Aug 6th 2011, 10:04
MEPA has made a good decision. Cows and pigs have rights too.
Roger Flett
Aug 6th 2011, 09:59
I agree that it is the country side, but the number of massive cow sheds that are being built seems to outstrip the requirement. In Gozo and particularly Sannat, we literally have a cow city with a cow density that far exceeds the previous population. We now have the problem of massive quantities of slurry that is being disposed of by spraying it on the fields, which causes a horrendous smell and hazardous fly population. Spraying slurry is an out of date practice, these days it is drilled into the soil which obviates the smell and fly problem. No doubt farmers don't do that here because of the cost of the equipment. There is also the problem of introducing phosphates into the soil and subsequently the aquifer, together with undesirable anti biotics etc. I see no reason why farmers should be treated any differently from other industries. If their money making activities cause health and social problems then they should clean up their act or desist in the activity.
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Aug 6th 2011, 09:31
"Residential units within the Maghtab area are mostly agricultural buildings converted for habitation ...”
No, they are NOT!
They are farmhouses that used to house the members of the farming families that tilled the land and therefore these farmers are also to be considered as RESIDENTS!
These members of the farming families, apart being RESIDENTS are also “human beings” and therefore they should always be treated like the other ordinary human beings of this country and the distance of 200 metres from residential areas, should also be adhered to!
Unlike what the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries blatantly admitted that this regulation is not being applied; the competent Authorities should see that ALL citizens of this country are treated equally with no discrimination whatsoever and the DISTANCE OF 200 METRES as stipulated in the Regulations be applied accordingly.
Why did we join the EU, when somebody in Authority can at his whim and pleasure disregard what the EU Regulations demand, for the safety and health of the EU citizen?
Justice for the Maghtab farming community and residents must be done, as if other Government “projects” are not enough already a burden on this community?
How much more can these farmers and residents take from THIS present Government?
Why is this Government treating this community in such manner and NOT showing any sympathy towards the whole Maghtab community?
Is it time to take a stand, perhaps?
JC.
Mr Richard Caruana
Aug 6th 2011, 07:34
If these residents bought 'farmhouses' they chose to live in farmland. When they converted them to residential units they did not change the surrounding environment (hopefully) and so have to 'enjoy' the life on the farm!
K Agius
Aug 6th 2011, 08:16
Don't be surprised that the MEPA would approve a farm in the middle of Sliema he he lol
Mr Philip Mifsud
Aug 6th 2011, 09:35
Well said Mr. Caruana. I perfectly agree with you.
Albert Sciberras
Aug 5th 2011, 23:10
That was always farmland, so why all the panick, whowas there first the farms or the houses (which were farmhouses = farm and the shepards quarters).
Mr Peter Korsten
Aug 5th 2011, 21:59
Well, coming from a rural area, I know that cattle and particularly pigs don't always smell very nice, to put it very mildly.
But... it's a rural area. There are farms. If you don't want agricultural activities next door, don't go and live in the countryside.