Four families residing in Maghtab this morning filed two judicial protests against the developers of a cow farm and a pig farm, the directors of animal protection, promotion and services, lands, and environmental health, and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The families are calling for the permits required for the operation of the farms not to be issued.

They said the farms would be either touching or within 100 metres from their homes, which were constructed long before any industrial animal farm was set up in this area.

The residents said that their hamlet was considered an “inhabited area” and the granting of such permits would put residents' lives in danger. Such farms would also deprive them from the enjoyment of their homes.

Outline permits for the farms have already been granted.

The residents noted that viruses such as the current H1N1 were spreading globally and that the recent cases of bovine tuberculosis in southwest England and other counties, werecapable of jumping from animals to humans and back, representing a major treat to the residents.

This was apart from other issues normally associated with and arising from the operation of such farms when operated in proximity to residents.

It was ironic, the residents argued, that both applicants were saying that their farms would be build to EU standards and would most probably be benefitting from EU funds.