Zebbuġ should be protected from intensified industrial activity until the necessary health and safety measures are taken, Partit Demokratiku leader Marlene Farrugia said this evening.

Addressing a press conference outside of Parliament, Dr Farrugia said the Parliamentary Environment Committee would be meeting this evening to discuss policy amendments which could lead to more industrial and commercial activity in the Għarrar and Ħal Mula areas of Zebbuġ.

She said residents in the area had been suffering due to the existing level of industrial and commercial activity in the area for several years. Although many businesses were licensed to operate in the area, she had doubts over whether they were operating under the licences that had been issued, or if heavier industrial activity was taking place.

Asked about the health and safety issues, Dr Farrugia said air and noise pollution were the main concerns. Waste disposal and buildings being used for industrial activity they were not sanctioned for were also of concern, she said.

She said the government was more than willing to provide select businesses with adequate industrial space away from residents - why should Zebbug residents be any different?