The president of the Malta Association of Professional Conservator-Restorers, James Licari. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The government should question the ulterior motives of those who oppose granting conservation warrants which have been in the pipeline for over 15 years, conservator James Licari has said.

“Conservation and restoration are scientific professions, and a legal warrant would not only allow this profession the dignity it deserves but would protect our cultural heritage from amateur work,” the president of the Malta Association of Professional Conservator-Restorers (MAPCo-Re) told this newspaper.

Mr Licari was speaking to The Sunday Times of Malta following comments made by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici that the actual launch of conservation warrants was up for debate.

During a Gvern li Jisma session last month, Dr Bonnici noted that though he was in favour of introducting warrants, he was open to discussion and stood to be convinced otherwise. To the extent that there were people in favour of a warrant, there were others – including university academics – who opposed the idea, he said.

This came as something of a shock to MAPCo-Re, which has been in discussions with the government about implementing the warrant since 2006.

The island, Mr Licari said, could be losing important heritage through the amateurishness of certain work – even that done with all good intentions. And once lost, such heritage is lost forever. “We would like to know why – not by whom – the warrant is being opposed,” he said.

Just last year, maritime historian Joan Abela, whose voluntary work has helped save and conserve innumerable historic documents, warned that heritage needs to be protected from amateurish conservation work.

In an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta, she called for a system of warrants for qualified conservators.

We would like to know why – not by whom – the warrant is being opposed

The conservation professionals’ warrant is listed in the Cultural Heritage Act of 2002 but has never been introduced. Amendments to certain aspects of the law, including the granting of the warrant, are now in the pipeline. In recent years, a subcommittee was formed within the Culture Ministry which included a university representative, a lawyer with a specialisation in art law and Mr Licari himself to discuss proposed amendments.

As far as MAPCo-Re is informed, the amendments to the Act are in the final stages and the association hopes it reaches Cabinet in the coming weeks. Among the proposed amendments is the hotly debated grandfather clause for those with years of experience but no academic qualifications.

Mr Licari, one of the first graduates in the sector, said university training for it started in 1999 in Malta. In the 2002 law, those applying for a warrant who had no academic training needed at least 15 years of experience prior to January 2000.

Building on laws for other professions, the fresh proposals suggest that if the changes go through by next year, applicants will have to prove their expertise 20 years prior to the approval of the amendment.

“All of those of us who practise conservation and restoration professionally are specialised in specific fields and should have a portfolio, because one of our profession’s ethical criteria is to document everything we do.

“We work similarly to forensic scientists, who have to study the artefact, reach conclusions about its production, what happened to it over the years and how it is deteriorating, and take decisions on how to reduce its deterioration and preserve it for the future,” he explained.

Mr Licari, also vice-president of The International Council of Museums, believes culture should fall under the direct responsibility of the President. “Culture may fall well into the responsibility of the President, within the main role of representing the people, as it represents society and shapes constituents of our cultural identity.”

The Culture Ministry was asked about the current stage of the proposed amendments to the Act and if introducing a warrant is intended. The questions remained unanswered.