Natural and water resources

The strategic goals set out in the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Malta are translated into the following action-based and outcome-oriented measures, which are grouped into 18 thematic areas, and must be achieved by 2020.

Theme 6: Sustainable use of natural resources: Soil, water and land (Code NR 1-3)

NR1: Criteria for identifying and mapping high nature value farmland (HNVF) in Malta are further defined, so that good agricultural and low-intensive practices, including organic farming, are applied to preserve such land and associated agro-biodiversity.

NR2: Land uses are commensurate with the management of soil and by inference, water resources across the Maltese islands. This is required in order to promote: the build-up of soil organic matter; the enhancement of soil biodiversity; the reduction of soil erosion, contamination and compaction; the minimisation of salinisation levels; the mitigation of flood-induced soil mass land sliding and the increase in infiltration and moisture retention in the soil.

NR3: Transposition and implementation of the Pesticides Framework Directive (2009/128/EC), which advocates the sustainable use of pesticides and integrated pest management, supported by the completion of a national action plan by 2012, assists in reducing the potential damage on biological and water resources caused by pesticides.

Mepa published the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Malta on February 28. The NBSAP aims to set Malta on the right track to meet its own biodiversity and other environmental objectives, as well as its international commitments, by 2020. To view the document visit www.mepa.org.mt/biodiversity-nbsap.