I stated some weeks ago that the government must decide on waste management compliance schemes. I pointed my fingers at the bureaucrats who continue to give more value to immediate loss of revenue, once the exemption mechanism is put in place, than to the importance that enterprise is given a clear signal that, on waste management compliance schemes, the government really means business.

Today, I point my finger at Mepa. This authority is at law the guardian of the environment, the public regulator that approves waste management compliance schemes and provides the necessary and effective framework within which the schemes can work. This organisation falls directly under the responsibility of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who won another government mandate only a year ago on a programme that highlighted the importance of private sector collaboration to ensure a better environment for future generations. Yet, Mepa is today blocking the enthusiasm of private business operators led by the GRTU.

Mepa's system of excessive demands, delays and bureaucratic practices make a sham of the Prime Minister's public commitments and beliefs. Where waste management compliance schemes are concerned, Mepa is cruelly a killing field.

What we know is what we judge.

I start with one bothering fact: how the methods used by persons responsible for administering such schemes are really suspect. An existing scheme officially reported it represented just over 93 members registered by end 2007, stating they place 2,808 tonnes of waste packaging in the market. In 2008 its members grew to over 170, now placing altogether 2,457 tonnes of packaging waste in the market. How is it that 77 more enterprises result in less tonnage of waste packaging in the market?

Green Mt has over 300 members who have signed a letter of intent stating that they will be scheme members once they are exempt from the eco contribution. Together they state that they place 10,500 tonnes of packaging on the market. We are still in the early stages of enrolment. Up to end May 2008, 1,646 producers of packaging waste had registered with Mepa, together placing 60,000 tonnes of packaging waste on the market.

The GRTU has been pushing Mepa for a whole year to ensure that the register is updated, figures are evaluated and proper inspections are carried out to certify the official figures. Traders and industry operators peep into these registers from time to time and continue to see the same number of registrations, so they think that no one is actually registering. In itself, this lack of interest by Mepa has not been a help to the schemes. It is truly a shame.

If only other government authorities like Mepa had the same willpower and drive the GRTU and the private sector have!

It is time to move on. Schemes need to be allowed to work. Schemes need to obtain finance from their members while their members are exempted from eco contribution. Businessmen are willing to do their part. They love their country as much as anyone else. The state gets moneys above what they budget for and cares not about the illicit trading and evasion of eco taxation that causes a grossly unfair competitive market.

The state expects those who meet their fiscal obligations not only to keep carrying the burden but to pay twice: one direct to the tax man and the other to the scheme to which they belong. Then it expects business to beg for a refund. Business in Malta cannot be treated like this anymore. We deserve better.

All Cabinet ministers know that I'll do all I can to ensure that the business community gives its full share and guarantees a better environment for all of us. But this country needs to be fair.

One final point. The media report that Malta has been ranked on top of the league by transposing 1,611 out of 1,616 EU directives. A good score. Two of them are the Waste Packaging and the Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment directives.

It is time for someone up there to get everyone responsible to stand up and be counted. The government cannot allow incompetent people to continue to take it for a ride. People complain because they see wrong things happening or frightening inaction and those on top appear powerless. We need to implement these directives. Our country demands it. Our membership in the EU ensures it.

This is the second wake-up call I'm making in such a short period for those who, in joining the European Community, believed that it's now easy for them and tough on others. We need to face realities, one after the other, starting with a yes to waste management compliance schemes. We need to start.

Let's get moving.

Mr Farrugia is director general of the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU and a Nationalist candidate for the European Parliament elections.