The Malta Tourism Authority is intensifying its efforts against illegal restaurants and has carried out more inspections so far this year than it did throughout 2013. Until June, the MTA had already carried out 613 inspections, compared with 608 inspections carried out throughout last year.

The MTA took action against five establishments that did not have a valid licence and another eight establishments for breaching the conditions of the licence.

The authority was answering questions by The Sunday Times of Malta following a series of stories exposing the increasing number of illegal farmhouse restaurants without a development permit that continue to operate despite enforcement notices issued years ago.

MTA is taking steps to get these establishments in line

While the planning authority is tasked with monitoring irregular establishments and ensuring they halt all activity until they are issued with a permit, the MTA is responsible for issuing licences to catering establishments and monitoring their observance of the conditions imposed.

Since these establishments are entirely illegal, the newspaper asked the MTA whether they are still subject to inspections that other licensed establishments have to undergo.

“This year the monitoring of catering establishments was intensified... MTA is aware of illegal catering establishments and is taking the necessary steps to get these establishments in line,” a spokesman said.

Last March, the MTA said there were an estimated 70 restaurants operating illegally. The figure was based on reports and investigations carried out in previous months.

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association had said the MTA’s estimate was a conservative one since the association constantly received complaints of unlicensed operations driving legitimate establishments out of business.

The association said this led to unfair competition among restaurants, since those in possession of a licence to operate as a catering establishment had to abide by the conditions.

The Tourism Ministry had said it was in favour of regulating unlicensed restaurants when possible, but insisted a distinction should be drawn between different establishments because not all transgressions were on the same level.

Some restaurants do not have planning permission, while others operate without an MTA licence. In addition, there are restaurants with very specific irregularities, some of which are easier to address than others.

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