Alternattiva Demokratika will be backing Lija residents complaining about dust emissions from the Blokrete factory, party chairman Arnold Cassola has said.

The case by residents will be discussed by the European Parliament Petitions Committee today.

Prof. Cassola accused the government of failing citizens, saying there are no clear, enforceable laws to limit the levels of stone dust emissions locally.

"There are other places where dust is also a problem such as in Attard where quarries create a similar nuisance. It is the Maltese government which must take the bull by the horns and provide the necessary legal framework to tackle this issue effectively," he said.

Energy, industry and transport spokesman Ralph Cassar said the Green Group within the European Parliament has always demanded that emissions resulting in health and environmental problems be curbed drastically.

"Unfortunately, the Greens' requests for higher standards have quite often been shot down by other political groups," he said.