Reference is made to the Planning Commission’s final decision, in favour of the demolition of an existing dilapidated dwelling and the construction of a house with a swimming pool in Triq Ta’ Gafan, Qala.

In its comments as consultant during the application phase of the project, ERA was very clear in stating that it considers any proposed development and other physical interventions at this site unacceptable in principle. The permitting of such proposal creates a precedent for further built-up structures within this sensitive area, which cumulatively would result in the uptake of land in the countryside for unacceptable urban uses, with consequential additional impacts on the rural landscape and the visual amenity of the area.

The site of the proposed development is located in a very sensitive rural location. In fact, the site is directly within an Area of High Landscape Sensitivity (AHLS) atop a predominantly undisturbed rural coast. The existing stand-alone building appears to be an old traditional rural structure characterised by traditional features. This structure is an integral part of the character of the surrounding rural landscape.

ERA remains of the opinion that the proposed development will result in over-development of the site. It will also result in land parcelling and fragmentation of land, contributing to significant take-up of extensive tract of undeveloped rural land within the countryside. Other impacts include the introduction of materials that are incompatible with the rural context and scenic qualities of the area. The introduction of light and miscellaneous disturbance on site and in the surrounding area will contribute to the ecological degradation of the wider area.

ERA’s objections were justified and substantiated by Prof Victor Axiak during today’s PA Board meeting.​

Transplanted trees to form an integral part of the new Spencer Gardens layout

As the environment regulator, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is monitoring works concerning trees at Spencer Gardens in Marsa.

The works, conducted by Infrastructure Malta, relate to the construction of a footbridge that will join St. Joseph High Road in Ħamrun with Spencer Hill in Marsa.

Infrastructure Malta’s project intends to enable better traffic flow and provide better access for buses to stop. The shared passageway will accommodate both pedestrians non-motorised transport methods, such as bicycles.

The removal of trees that shall be effected for the implementation of this project were subject to a nature permit issued by ERA. As part of this permit, 18 trees will be uprooted; eight of which will be transplanted and forming an integral part of the new Spencer Gardens layout. The transplanted trees will be maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years from planting.

Compensatory Planting for the remaining uprooted trees shall be 12 indigenous trees.

ERA, together with the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, is working on regenerating Spencer Gardens. The project will be implemented in order to transform the state of Marsa’s green lung, which is currently in dire need of embellishment and maintenance.

ERA will submit its application before the Planning Authority for works to be carried out in this regard within the coming weeks.​

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) has today issued a Stop Order towards a tarmac manufacturing company in Ħal Far.

ERA’s compliance and enforcement officers have been following up every time complaints concerning emissions from this tarmac plant were lodged.

Latest reports of black smoke were immediately investigated and as a result, the manufacturing company was ordered to halt its operation for ten days. During this period, ERA will conduct investigations in order to establish what is being emitted into the air and whether it has any implications on public health and the environment.

The manufacturing company may be asked to install specific mechanisms that will abate harmful emissions, if any.

ERA remains committed towards regulating the environment, investigating when and where necessary and taking the necessary enforcement actions.​

Reference is being made to various sightings and reports of material in the sea that has been attributed to sea slime. The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) would like to make a number of clarifications in order to avoid any further misunderstandings.

There are various types of sea surface phenomena including lasting foam, mucilaginous formations and oily sea slime.

Lasting foam is a natural phenomenon and the result of micro-algal blooms, which release natural detergents and lead to foaming forming at surface. This has been reported in various parts around Malta and in various parts of the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

Mucilaginous events may also result from natural phenomena and like lasting foam, are usually caused by micro-algal blooms and produce slimy formations.

On the other hand, oil slicks and oily sea slime usually arise from manmade sources, including fish farms. The latter is usually distinguished from its consistency and foul smell.

All the above events have direct but different impacts on the environment and sometimes on humans. It may be that the occurrence of lasting foam or micro-algal blooms interact with the oily residues released by fish farms, to aggravate the resultant environmental impacts.

All fish farm operators are inspected at least three times a week be ERA officers to ensure that permit conditions are observed. Fish remnants resulting during the feeding process are collected by cleaning vessel that patrol the perimeter of the fish farms.

All feeding procedures are being undertaken in such a manner as to reduce fat-laden thaw water from the baitfish, from reaching the sea. In fact, Photo 1 in the link below portrays the amount of fat that was being generated as part of the tuna feeding process. The yellow matter seen in the photo emanates from baitfish that was insufficiently thawed and was resulting in a considerable amount of thaw water and oils being discharged in the sea. Photo 2 portrays a different feeding method, whereby residue related to feeding methods was also ending up in the sea.

As a result of discussions held between ERA and the Tuna Farm operators, the feeding methods were improved through better thawing procedures, resulting in a drastic reduction of thaw water and fish oils in the surrounding sea. See Photos 3 and 4.

ERA’s officers constantly monitor fish farm operations both on-shore and off-shore and hold frequent meetings with operators in order to ensure practices that cause the least amount of disturbance to the natural environment are being followed. Fifteen administrative fines and one Compliance and Enforcement Order have been issued against Tuna Farm Operators in 2019.

ERA emphasises that the collaboration of all fish farm operators is vital in ensuring no disturbance or damage is caused to natural habitats because of commercial interests.

Photos may be found here:

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AJFS9F3YEm%5FWCxI&id=B5F99B8977604B9C%212523&cid=B5F99B8977604B9C​

Did you know that bats are the only mammals that use flight as a method to travel? Many erroneously believe that bats are flying rats or mice. In fact, they are not even rodents. They belong to a special group of their own, called Chiroptera, which is taken from the Greek word ‘cheir’, meaning ‘hand’ and ‘pteron’, meaning ‘wing’.

The 6th September marked a ‘Bat Night at the Museum’ that was held at the National Museum of Natural History at the Vilhena Palace in Mdina. Activities were hosted by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA), in collaboration with Heritage Malta. The event was organized in the spirit of the United Nations’ EUROBATS International Bat Night, which is an awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for bat conservation and their habitats.

A number of stalls, set up in the front courtyard of the Vilhena Palace, focused on various topics related to bats. The stalls were accessible to the public till the evening and allowed people to get to know more about these flying mammals. Guests had the opportunity to meet with various NGOs and other entities, including the University of Malta, BICREF, Nature Trust and Greenhouse Malta.  Night activities kicked off with a bat hearing session led by experts in the field of nature conservation. Guests who stayed the night had a very early start before sunrise the following morning, in order to spot bats returning to their roosts.

Bats are exceptionally vulnerable to extinction due to their low reproduction rate, with the female normally bearing only one offspring per year. Unfortunately, they also face a number of threats, including human disturbance, vandal acts in roosting sites and nurseries, and eviction from buildings. A number of Natura 2000 sites have been designated in order to afford protection to the important habitats of bats. Furthermore, bats have been protected under Maltese Law since 1993.

Unfortunately, bats have been subject to many myths through history and in many literary works, perhaps due to the way in which they appear in the dark. One such myth is associated to their eating habits. It is interesting to note that in Europe, there are no vampire bats and only one fruit-eating bat. Another such myth is their association with disease, particularly rabies. However, the likelihood of contracting rabies from a bat is extremely low. Bats do not attack humans, and generally avoid direct contact, and would only bite a person to defend themselves. These flying mammals eat flies, mosquitoes, moths and other insects and thereby control insect populations very effectively. Some bats also serve as important pollinators and seed dispersers of many plants that are important to humans. In actual fact, bat populations are one of the best natural indicators of the health of our environment, seeing as they prosper where an ecosystem is healthy and stable.

One of the threatened species of bats found in Malta is the Maghrebian Mouse-eared Bat, a species with a restricted distribution in the Mediterranean and the world. It is the one of the largest bat species occuring in Malta, having a wingspan of 30-40 cm. Although it is a cave-dwelling bat, it has also been observed roosting in World War II shelters, catacombs and other human dwellings. What happens if you spot one? It is imperative to know that it is illegal to disturb, capture, kill, keep, sell or trade this unique flying mammal.

ERA remains committed to aid in educating the public on the importance of conserving indigenous species. In order to do this, it is eager to work hand in hand with various stakeholders, with the ultimate aim of motivating Maltese citizens to safeguard our flora and fauna out of free will and genuine understanding of their importance to the Maltese islands.​

The Environment and Resources Authority’s plea for the suspension of PA/08279/18 (the development of a villa in Sqaq Anton Mallia in Żebbuġ, Gozo) has been upheld by the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (EPRT). This means that the developer cannot proceed with works until a decision by the EPRT is taken and the decision on this development permit will need to be given within three months from today.

In its appeal, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is reiterating that the proposed development will completely eradicate the cliff edge and formalize a site that is currently in a pristine site, while creating a private belvedere. The site in which the proposed development is located is sensitive and the development is not in line with the objectives of the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED). Three quarters of the site in question is in a zone outside development.

Before the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal, ERA is reiterating that without any explanation, the Planning Commission ignored what was brought before it by ERA’s Case Officer, as well as the advice of external consultants and objectors. Additionally, ERA is expressing its concern in view of the way in which permission was approved despite the fact that the applicant did not provide the information that was requested by ERA, the Design Advisory Committee of the Planning Authority and the Planning Directorate.​

Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd Variation and Renewal of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) permit (IP0001/19)

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) Board has today, 6th September 2019, taken a decision as indicated below on the IPPC permit for the following application

  • ​​Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd                                  APPROVED
    Variation and Renewal of IPPC permit

The installation is located in Ħal Far Industrial Estate in Birżebbuġa where the activities carried out by the operator are mainly the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). Such activities fall within scope of the Industrial Emissions Regulations (S.L. 549.77).

The application submitted by Sterling Chemical Malta Ltd covers the variation and renewal of the IPPC permit. The Application considered comprises of a new research and development (R&D)/pilot line for the development of other APIs, together with associated utilities and laboratories.

The current factory of Sterling Chemical (Factory HF51) was already permitted under IPPC Permit IP/0001/14 and through PA/04236/08. For the recent enlargement of the installation to sites adjacent to the permitted factory, a number of Development Notification Orders (DNOs) were issued by the Planning Authority. The necessary updates to the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out in 2014 were also undertaken so as to assess any impacts arising from the proposed extensions.

The IPPC permit variation and renewal covers a number of environmental obligations which the Permit Holder is to fulfil throughout the validity of the permit to ensure the required level of environmental protection and to ensure that all operations are in line with the Best Available Techniques established at a European level.

All documentation related to this application are available on the ERA website.

For further information contact [email protected]

Reference is made to alleged sea slime appearing along the Maltese coast.

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) would like to indicate that all fish farm operators are inspected at least three times a week by its officers, in order to ensure that permit conditions are observed.

All feeding procedures are being undertaken in order to reduce fat-laden thaw water from bait fish, from reaching the sea. Any fish remnants resulting during the feeding process is collected by cleaning vessel that patrol the perimeter of the fish farms.

Slime that was observed on Saturday in Marsascala was cleaned up by the Federation of Maltese Aquaculture Producers (FMAP). Other slime that was reported today turned out to be a bloom of blue green algae.

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All works involving trees as part of the Vjal Santa Luċija and Tarxien project will be taking place under ERA’s scrutiny. 1,011 trees will be planted (757) or transplanted (254) within the same area, which includes Paola, Santa Luċija, Għaxaq, Tarxien, Marsa, Żejtun, Marsascala, Luqa and Żabbar.  When the project is completed, there will be approximately 300 new trees in the same area than there is at present.

This will compensate for 293 trees that will be uprooted as part of the plan for a road project that will divert traffic between Tal-Barrani Road and Vjal Santa Luċija through underground tunnels.

Additionally, 1,257 trees will be planted in Magħtab/Għadira s-Safra and Majjistral Park.

The transplanted Olea europaea, Ficus microcarpa and Morus alba specimens have to be maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years from planting. Evidence of transplanting must be submitted to ERA within one month of planting.

Should any of the transplanted trees die within this period specified above, the permit holder must replace the trees within the first planting season with trees of the same species.The permit holder must regularly inspect the transplanted tree to administer necessary care and monitor recovery.

Compensatory planting must be carried out within the first planting season following issue of the permit and evidence of compensatory planting must be submitted within one month of planting. The trees must be maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years from planting. In this case too, should any of the compensatory trees die within the period specified above, the permit holder is bound to replace the trees within the first planting season with trees of the same species and size.

More details regarding transplanting and pruning may be found here.

Yesterday evening, officials from the Compliance and Enforcement Directorate of ERA conducted a joint operation with the Malta Police Force and successfully seized over 700 protected dead birds.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the majority of these birds have been illegally smuggled into Malta recently. The seizure came following weeks of joint investigations together with the Malta Police Force. Yesterday’s haul represents the largest haul of smuggled protected dead birds revealed in the last six years.

As a regulator on the environment, ERA enforces on matters related to the CITES Convention, or rather the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The latter is an international agreement between governments, aiming to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Raids were conducted at three residences and a farmhouse, all within the Safi and Kirkop localities. From the residences, Police assisted by ERA officials seized several stuffed birds. Likewise, from the farmhouse, about 660 dead birds found stored in freezers were seized after ERA officials expertly identified these. The haul consisted of several species of birds of prey such as Eagles; Falcons and Vultures, and other bird families such as Storks; Egrets; Spoonbills; Ibises and Flamingos which are also protected by international law, namely the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES).

It is believed that the majority of the birds, found already prepared to be stuffed for collection purposes, originated from Northern Africa region. The consignment’s value is estimated as being tens of thousands of Euros.

Three persons hailing from Kirkop, are assisting the Police in their investigations. The persons were all previously known to the authorities after they had already been investigated and successfully prosecuted for similar crimes in the past.​