I refer to the article (August 4) in connection with the proposed construction of a cow farm and a pig farm at Magħtab.
I have written in these columns about the pollution created by Vella Dairy Farms, situated at the head of scenic Wied Għomor, in San Ġwann, which farms existed over 40 years ago. Following a substantial financial grant by the EU to upgrade them and extend them, the air pollution and fly infestation have both worsened.
In spite of the protests and inspections conducted at the farms to control the pollutants, the authorities failed miserably in this respect. They have failed because they have missed the trees for the forest.
The main cow shed, which is a large open structure, consists of a metal roof suspended on steel stanchions, without any external walls, that otherwise would prevent both the stench from the manure and the fly infestation from spreading out from the shed to its exterior.
The farmer has recently discovered that even leaving out all the external walls is not enough to give 100 per cent ventilation to his cows inside the shed. Hence, very large electrically-powered fans have been installed to help stimulate the air and spread it around the environment quickly, to keep his cows as comfortable as possible, probably to the detriment of residents living 50 metres away.
Has the health inspector investigated the consequences?
The authorities concerned with the supervision of such animal quarters should insist with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority that the sheds must have external walls. If the farmer wants to provide to his animals the best ventilation possible, he should enclose the shed and install air conditioners, which he could power with free electricity by installing photovoltaic cells on the large metal roofing covering his sheds.
The Magħtab residents should draw the attention of the authorities concerned that, no matter how many modern techniques would be adopted in constructing the proposed sheds, pollution of the environment would never be controlled if the sheds where the animals are kept do not have external walls.
It has been said that the government was considering centralising in one specific area all the farms that are scattered all over Malta and Gozo, to obviate once and for all the perennial complaints by residents living near farms. Some information by the government on this point would surely be appreciated by many Maltese and Gozitans.