The statements made by the Leader of the Opposition recently are shameful. After his meeting with the North Korean Ambassador was reported in the press – the contents of which remain unclear – Joseph Muscat reiterated that he and the Labour Party believe that North Korea has the right, as a “sovereign state” to launch missiles.

... the cooperation of the public... is vital in keeping... bays clean- George Pullicino

This position was taken despite the fact that North Korea’s action violates UN Security Council resolutions 1718 and 1874. Last Friday, despite the failure of the missile launch, the UN condemned the action that had been taken.

Dr Muscat’s position is not only dangerous as it goes against that of the UN, which would have isolated us were he to be Prime Minister, but it is all the more dangerous because it is reminiscent of a darker time when the Socialist government felt comfortable in the company of dictators and signed agreements through which Maltese soldiers and the police were trained by North Korean officers. This agreement was kept secret from the Maltese people by the likes of Alex Sceberras Trigona and others from Dom Mintoff’s era, who have not only found a place once again within the Labour Party but have become protagonists.

A sovereign state certainly has rights but it should in no way threaten the international community. A sovereign state should firstly support the interests of its citizens, unlike the North Korean regime, which lets its people die of hunger and instead spends money on shows of force that generate fear within the international community. If Dr Muscat doesn’t recognise this, then we certainly are in trouble as our Leader of the Opposition is clearly unprepared – April 20.

A pioneer

What a joy it was to listen to Guido Lanfranco this morning, the person who 50 years ago founded the organisation today known as Nature Trust. He explained that, half a century ago, many thought he was bizarre because he used to go to the countryside with his jacket, briefcase and net to collect insects and butterflies. He also recounted that, in the past, many ministers would ignore or mock him.

It was individuals like Guido and his brother Edwin who influenced students and others who, over the years, cultivated a new environmentally conscious generation. As President George Abela stated this morning, they brought society to its senses, making Maltese society sensitive to our natural heritage.

Guido acknowledged that, today, we have a political class and institutions that are far more environmentally conscious, also as a result of EU membership, which has ensured a faster shift towards politics of sustainable development.

Much has been done, as was correctly stated by Nature Trust’s current president, Vince Attard, but the work must continue.

It was also interesting to hear about the way Nature Trust’s membership has evolved over the years. While the 1970s saw a 1,000-strong membership, of which over 80 per cent were foreign residents, Nature Trust today boasts over 5,000 members, all of whom are Maltese.

Mr Attard went on to explain Nature Trust’s three main activities.

Firstly, education and the spread of environmental information, particularly in schools. This is primarily achieved through programmes such as EkoSkola, which is being carried out in conjunction with the government and with the support of private sponsors.

Secondly, the management of important environmental sites, such as the park in Xrobb l-Għaġin, which is taking place in partnership with the government.

Thirdly, the care of marine animals, which is also taking place in conjunction with the government’s aquaculture centre at the San Luċjan tower.

I have always felt comfortable working with Nature Trust. We haven’t always agreed but we can always develop initiatives together. They are partners with whom dreams may be transformed into reality. This is what we did in 2002 when we initiated EkoSkola in six schools and transformed it into a project in which over 80 per cent of our schools participate today. We also built the 34U campaign, whereby over 110,000 trees have been planted. We have also built an Ecology Information Centre from the ruins of the Deutsche Welle relay station in Xrobb l-Għaġin.

I would like to appeal for more people to offer their time and energy to this organisation that has so much potential to continue doing good – April 18.

Man’s best friend

Yesterday, I visited the St Francis Centre for Animal Welfare where families were invited to visit and have their dogs microchipped, together with a complimentary check-up and worming treatment. Several voluntary animal welfare organisations also set up information stands on their work.

The small microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades. It contains a unique identification number through which the dog is registered on a national database. This chip offers a number of advantages, including that if a dog is lost, abandoned, or involved in an accident, for example, all information concerning the animal and its owner can be accessed.

Just yesterday, the Animal Welfare Department found a labrador and, through its chip, could identify the owners and reunite them with their pet. We have read of many similar cases on the local and international news media.

While dogs may easily get lost, they are not as easily found and identified, unless through a microchip. To date, over 22,000 dogs have been registered in this way.

This is why we introduced regulations that state that each dog should be microchipped by next June. One can take one’s dog to any veterinarian to be microchipped at a cost of €11.80 (including VAT) in the case of dogs that are neutered or €22.70 in the case of dogs that are not.

This distinction is being made to encourage dog owners to neuter their pets and, thus, limit the number of unwanted dogs that might end up abandoned. Fewer abandoned dogs will lead to less diseases being carried and spread by strays and also lessen the possibility of packs of stray dogs that could be a threat to other animals and humans.

For the past 50 years, dog owners have been obliged to register for a licence issued by the police, which was renewed every year at a cost of €2.33, which would mean that €28 would be spent over a 12-year period, the average life of a dog. Today, the maximum cost is €22.70. A small price, I would say, for man’s best friend ! But less than the original cost – April 16.

Clean bays

The recent warm weather and sunny days serve as a reminder that summer and the swimming season are round the corner. For a section of workers within my ministry, the preparations for summer have long been underway with various works that serve to render our bays ready to welcome those who choose to spend time on our beaches in a clean and adequate environment.

The Cleansing Services Directorate within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs is utilising all tools at its disposal in the cleansing and upkeep of bays. The works underway include the removal of algae, which have gathered due to the winter storms, regular cleansing, the installation and maintenance of beach furniture and the installation of rubbish bins.

Just one example of the extent of works being carried out is the 372 tonnes of algae that were collected from Buġibba bay over the past three weeks. The algae removed over the same period from all the other bays in Malta amounted to 1,867 tonnes.

The directorate also deploys workers to the various bays on a daily basis so that the public and tourists alike find clean and comfortable sites. This work will continue, and also intensify, in the coming weeks. However, I do appeal for the cooperation of the public, which is vital in keeping these bays clean – April 13

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The author is Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs.