The Ta’ Muxi hearing is scheduled to take place today (NOV 13) and, strangely enough, the quarry trucks have recently decided to use the route prescribed by Mepa 16 years ago. Normally, they pass through the centre of Qala spewing out dust and exhaust emissions and damaging the roads - for which the quarry owners are meant to pay an annual fee to the local council to help cover the costs of repairs – and, to date, have not paid one single cent. Likewise, they use the correct route the few times the police have come to check whether trucks are abiding by Mepa’s stipulation to use the Ta’ Simar road.

Are Mepa going to fall for this simple ploy or will they take into account the following when they consider the renewal of the Ta’ Muxi quarry permit?

For the past 16 years, the Ta’ Muxi quarry owner has ignored the conditions of his permit

The quarry trucks have continuously failed to use the route as stated as one of the Mepa conditions for having the permit; they have not paid one cent of the annual fee payable to Qala local council for the past 16 years; they have not cleaned up the effects of their illegal dumping as required by Mepa and dust continues to be thrown up from the quarry road polluting surrounding agricultural land.

More importantly, is the planning authority monitoring the effect that the quarry dust and pollution from the quarry trucks is having on Qala’s residents?

In 2012, the European Commission accused the Maltese authorities of failing to protect citizens from noxious air pollution. This was said in relation to the Marsa power station emissions, however, it equally applies to lack of control of other sources of pollution.

In 2013, World Health Organisation studies confirmed that air pollution causes severe respiratory health problems in children, such as asthma and reduced lung function. It also causes lung disease, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and premature death among adults.

Mepa, as the guardian of environmental health, is the authority responsible for ensuring a healthy environment, as evidenced in its mission statement: “Our aim is to pass onto our children a better country than we inherited. It is for this very reason that we compare our environment to a treasure, something we place our energies in, to protect, care for and improve. The environment encompasses all - nature, cultural and architectural heritage, towns and villages, the countryside, the seas and air.”

It goes on to say that Mepa is “committed to ensure that land use and the protection of the environment meet the needs of today’s society and future communities”.

Legal Notice 337 lays down that when considering whether a permit is issued or not to an applicant, the competent authority is meant to take into account such things such as “the impact of the proposed activity may have on human health or the environment” and “the applicants’ suitability to undertake the proposed activity – such as their record of compliance with regulations and their compliance with financial obligations”.

The quarry owners have not taken into account the environment, have shown an inability to comply with the regulations as stipulated by Mepa and failed in their financial obligations to Qala local council.

So, will Mepa today simply renew the Ta’ Muxi quarry permit, regardless of the fact that recorded infringements show a repeated history of illegal dumping on virgin land affecting an area of nearly 70,000 square metres (using an illegal road)? When that came to light, topsoil was illegally shifted to try to cover the dumping, the road dug up and planted with olive trees. Not to mention the fact that they owe Qala council the equivalent of about €77,700 or that they continue not using the alternative route as stipulated in the permit (except when a hearing or police car approaches).

For the past 16 years, the Ta’ Muxi quarry owner has ignored the conditions of his permit and continued to impact the health of the residents of Qala.

How can a quarry owner’s interests override those of all living in Qala and any conditions that Mepa may try to impose?

Jane Carr is a chartered scientist and geologist.