Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said parliament today that in 2010, a development application had been submitted to Mepa to turn the Malta Film Studions film tanks at Rinella into fish farms.

Speaking during the debate in second reading of the Budget Measures Implementation Bill, Dr Zammit Lewis said that when it came to the film industry, the former government’s vision was limited to such an extent that the use of MFS’ strategic tanks at Rinella could changed from helping the industry to becoming fish farms.

Since when the studios were opened, back in 1964, they were operated as a parastatal company until 1995 when they were acquired by Catalyst Entertainment Inc (Canada) and the Britt Allcroft Company plc (UK), which rented the studios on an emphyteusis for 65 years.

In 1999 entrepreneur Jost Merten bought the majority of shares with a commitment to making MFS the world’s leading marine facility and a full-service studio. Instead, he submitted an application to change the use of the tanks to fish farms. He added that the studios were in a terrible state.

Dr Zammit Lewis said that he was currently looking into the ongoing legal process with Mediterranean Film Studos.

The present government was working towards making the film industry a year-round operation, and attract guaranteed investment. In the near future he would be announcing a number of films which would be coming to Malta.