Updated 1.20pm with Herrera statement
Labour has provided the country with strong environmental credentials, Environment Minister Josè Herrera told parliament this morning, in stark contrast to claims made earlier by Opposition and MP Marlene Farrugia.
While acknowledging that the challenges were big, he said people were becoming more conscious of the environment, and therefore have concerns over safeguarding it.
“We would focus on enforcement in all types of laws, whether they relate to transport pollution, noise pollution, waste or dumping,” he said.
Dr Herrera said the change from heavy fuel oil to gas would bring about the biggest decrease in pollution. He also spoke of the shift in location of local fish farms, the extension of protected sea zones, and the works in green areas in the south of Malta which had been left in a dilapidated state.
He announced the formation of an advisory committee to draft the enforcement policy on abusive dumping.
The minister accused the PN government of not drawing up any long-term waste management plans, which he described as a the present main challenge. This will be addressed in a holistic way, insofar as the government would continue with its national implementation plan to manage waste in a sustainable way.
He said Chadwick Lakes would be restored to its natural state and that this would serve to improve the quality of life for the public.
Dr Herrera assured the House he was confident the Environmental and Resources Authority carried out all procedures on the new power station in the most transparent manner and in line with the law. He invited anyone to come forward if they have any serious claims of any breaches.
Concluding, he invited the Opposition to sit around the table and discuss the issues of most concern to them, stating that politicians should admit to good decisions and not criticise for the sake of it.
Government diametrically opposed to environment pledges - Farrugia
Earlier, Democratic Party leader Marlene Farrugia said this morning. Judging by its track record, by the end of its tenure, the Labour government will be leaving the country with a worse environment than it did when it assumed power.
The government's direction was diametrically opposed to what the party had promised the electorate insofar as the environment was concerned, Dr Farrugia told parliament.
She called for a national masterplan drawn up by experts to control pollution, noise pollution and planned to protect the aquifers, which have been drained.
However, she insisted, it was not too late to reverse the damage.
If the government was taking decisions contrary to what the electorate voted for, then it should seek approval through the general election.
Dr Farrugia, a former Labour MP, has long been critical of the government's track record on the environment.