All measures have been taken by the authorities to ensure that the operation of four cement silos next to the Corradino Grain Terminal does not impinge on the safety standards of the flour produced, a committee of MPs decided yesterday.

The House Planning and Environment Committee had heard that the flour operation was inevitably open to contamination since it is located in a heavy industrial port area. It then called in UC Ltd, the cement terminal operator, to hear its testimony.

The company yesterday gave a timeline and details of the development applications submitted to Mepa, as well as of the environmental permit and the sanctioning of the construction of an electricity sub-station. It said it had been given a week’s trial to ensure that its operation was using the best available technology.

The operation was given the all-clear with a low-risk indication, on the basis of the observations made.

Environmental report called the proposed operation arguably the cleanest one related to construction in Malta

The environmental report commissioned by the company at the request of Mepa called the proposed operation “arguably the cleanest operation related to construction in Malta”.

UC Ltd said that environmental NGOs had been given all facilities to visit the operations but this invitation was declined.

Astrid Vella of Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar had replied that it was not a monitoring board and that monitoring was the responsibility of scientists.

Godfrey Grech, the representative of the grain terminal, noted that the operation had been deemed “low risk” and not “no risk”.

UC Ltd’s legal advisor said all the safety features were in place, as distinct from the grain terminal. The level of monitoring was such that early detection of any potential contamination was ensured.

The committee declared it was satisfied with the measures taken.