GODWIN C. Micallef was invited with members of the FOI Environment Committee to submit comments and suggestions on the proposed Environmental Permitting Strategy for Malta.

The committee and all stakeholders were invited to a workshop last month to discuss further the issues raised. Mr Micallef was accompanied by Mary Gaerty, Clarissa Jones and Frank Azzopardi.

The FOI suggestions were all discussed and commented on by UK experts, who were in Malta on a twinning project, to assist the authorities on conformity with the EU directives on the Environment.

The UK expert emphasised that the MOU - Memorandum of Understanding - would identify and address the regulatory needs of the authorities. He also emphasised that the permit fees would have to cover all the costs of administration and enforcement.

It was also intimated that there could be financial guarantees tied to the permits.

The FOI feels that the permits could result in another government-induced cost to industry at a time when it cannot afford it. The FOI sincerely hopes that full consultations will be held before any decision is taken and a proper time-frame is set so that industry can meet its obligations without undue pressures.