The Maltese National Biosafety Clearing House was set-up in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Malta ratified the Protocol on the 5th of January 2007. The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms, resulting from modern biotechnology. It establishes an advance informed agreement (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory. The Protocol came into force locally on the 5th of April 2007.

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs)​, contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

Introduction

The release of a genetically modified organism (GMO) into the environment, without taking precise confinement measures, will result in contact between this GMO and the surrounding environment.

There are two broad categories of release of GMOs into the environment:

Deliberate release for any other purpose than for placing on the marketThat is, the introduction of GMOs into the environment for experimental purposes, also commonly known as field or clinical trials. These types of releases are mainly carried out for the purposes of study, research, demonstration and development of novel varieties. The behaviour of the GMO in an open environment and its interactions with other organisms and the environment are studied. In Legislation, these releases are referred to as Part B releases.
Placing on the market for commercial purposesIf the results of the experimental release are positive, the company may decide to place the GMO on the market, that is, make it available to third parties free of charge or for a fee. The GMO may be placed on the market for purposes of cultivation, importation or transformation of GMOs into industrial products. In Legislation, these releases are referred to as Part C releases.

 

Why and how are releases regulated?

Although considerable work has been carried out in the field of GMOs, and a large amount of data has been gathered, there are still concerns with regard to the safety of human health and the environment.

Consequently, in the EU and Malta, there are strict regulations that control the release of GMOs into the environment. The Deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms regulations (S.L. 549. 60) give effect to Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms & repealing Directive 90/220/EEC. ERA is the designated Competent Authority in Malta for the implementation of these Regulations in terms of viable non-food/feed. Genetically modified food and feed are addressed through the Food safety commission.

The Regulations  apply to all GMOs, although plants have been the subject of most interest in recent years. The Regulations adopt a step-by-step approval process on a case-by-case assessment of the risks to human health and the environment before any GMO, such as maize, tomatoes, or microorganisms, can be released into the environment.

The entire regulatory process is underpinned by a detailed environmental risk assessment, prepared by the applicant, who examines and evaluates any possible harmful consequences of releasing a particular GMO.

Products derived from GMOs, such as paste or ketchup from a GMO tomato, are not covered by these regulations.

Getting approval for an experimental releaseLink
Procedural steps & timescales for the placing on the market of GMOsLink
Getting approval for placing on the marketLink
Procedural steps & timescales for the placing on the market of GMOsLink
GMOs authorised for experimental purposes in MaltaLink
GMOs authorised for placing on the EU marketLink

 

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs)​, contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

The definition of ‘contained use’

“Contained use” is defined as any activity in which micro-organisms are genetically modified or in which such genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) are cultured, stored, transported, destroyed, disposed of or used in any other way, and for which specific containment measures are used to limit their contact with the general population and the environment.

An introduction to contained use

The term ‘contained use’ covers any activity involving genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs) carried out under containment and in which measures are taken to limit contact between these organisms, people and the environment. It relates to the actual process of genetic modification, as well as to the use, storage, transport and destruction of GMOs.

Typical contained use facilities can be microbiology laboratories, animal houses, greenhouses or industrial production facilities. For example, before GMOs where invented, medicinal products such as insulin, blood factor VIII and human growth hormone, were formerly collected from dead humans and animals. These were collected in small amounts and always carried the risk of transmitting disease. Now, with the use of genetic modification (GM) technology, pure and safe equivalents can be produced in larger quantities using GM bacteria.

Why do we need controls and legislation?

A considerable number of contained use activities involve organisms that do not cause disease and are very unlikely to survive in the environment outside a containment facility. However, some contained use activities are carried out with more hazardous organisms whose escape from containment could result in adverse effects on human health and / or the environment. Therefore, it is very important to assess the risks of all activities and to make sure that any necessary controls are put in place to protect people and the environment.

Consequently, there is legislation in Malta and the EU to control and lay down measures for contained use activities. The Contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms regulations (S.L. 549.49) give effect to Directive 2009/41/EC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (Recast). The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is the designated Competent Authority in Malta for the implementation of these Regulations.

The legislation requires the applicant to carry out a thorough risk assessment, which is then reviewed by ERA. S.L. 549.49 outlines the risk assessment procedure that should be followed to determine which containment level is necessary and into which classification category the GMM and the proposed activity fall.

In some cases, there will not be an exact match between the containment and control measures, which the risk assessment indicates, and those specified for a particular class; i.e. the measures will effectively fall between two classes. In such cases, the activity applied for would be under the higher class.

Obligations under S.L. 549.49

Anyone carrying out contained use activities must comply with S.L. 549.49, particularly:

  1. Notify ERA of their intention to use their premises for contained use  activities for the first time;
  2. Carry out an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment of every contained use activity before it begins, reviewing and revising the assessment as necessary, and keeping records;
  3. Establish a genetic modification safety committee to advise on risk assessments;
  4. Classify all activities as described in the 4. Regulations;
  5. Apply the necessary containment and control measures indicated by the risk assessment, and;
  6. Draw up emergency plans for riskier activities, and notify any accidents that occur.

Classification of GMMs

Local and EU legislation classify GMMs into four classes:
Class 1Activities of no or negligible risk, for which level 1 containment is appropriate
Class 2Activities of low risk; for which level 2 containment is appropriate
Class 3Activities of moderate risk, for which level 3 containment is appropriate
Class 4Activities of high risk, for which level 4 containment is appropriate

Most genetically modified plants are considered Class 1 because they are not usually modified to contain DNA sequences from human disease-causing organisms. Class 4 is reserved for highly dangerous human or animal pathogens such as small pox, which are highly transmissible and for which there is no prophylaxis.

Application procedures

For application procedures, click here.

For any additional queries, you may check the frequently asked questions (FAQs)​, contact us via e-mail address on [email protected] or through telephone number 2292 3500.

Other links

The activities listed below are extracted from Schedule I of S.L. 549.79  and may require an environmental permit to be carried out.

Adhesive Coating

Any activity in which an adhesive is applied to a surface, with the exception of adhesive coating and laminating associated with printing activities. Adhesive coating involves the application of adhesives by spray, roller, brush and other techniques to a variety of substrates

Coating Activity

Any activity whereby a single or multiple application of a continuous film of coating is applied to the following

    • Vehicles including:
      • New cars (defined as vehicles of category M1)
      • Truck cabins (defined as the housing for the driver of vehicles of categories N2 and N3)
      • Vans & trucks (defined as vehicles of categories N1, N2 and N3)
      • Buses (defined as vehicles of categories M2 and M3)
      • Trailers (defined in categories O1, O2, O3 and O4)
    • Other coating, including metal, plastic, textile, fabric, film and paper coating
    • Coating of wooden surfaces
    • Coating of leather
Coil Coating

Any activity where coiled steel, stainless steel, coated steel, copper alloys or aluminium strip is coated with either a film forming or laminate coating in a continuous process. A wide variety of coating formulations is used by the coil coating industry. The more prevalent coating types include polyesters, acrylics, polyfluorocarbons, alkyds, vinyls and plastisols.

Dry Cleaning

Any industrial or commercial activity using VOCs in an installation to clean garments, furnishing and similar consumer goods with the exception of the manual removal of stains and spots in the textile and clothing industry. Installations providing laundry services only shall be excluded from this list.

Footwear Manufacture

Any activity of producing complete footwear or parts thereof. The VOC emissions in the production of footwear result mainly from adhesives containing organic solvents. The content of organic solvents in shoe adhesives is around 75 – 80 % (weight per cent). Solvent based adhesives have a portion of 67 %, adhesive dispersions have a portion of 16 % and hotmelts have a portion of 17 % of the sectors´ total consumption.

Manufacture of coating preparations, varnishes, inks and adhesives

The manufacture of any coating preparations, varnishes, inks and adhesives. This also includes the manufacture of intermediates (where carried out at the same site), by mixing of pigments, resins and adhesive materials with organic solvent or other carrier, including dispersion and predispersion activities, viscosity and tint adjustments and operations for filling the final product into its container.

Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Products

The chemical synthesis, fermentation, extraction, formulation and finishing of pharmaceutical products and where carried out at the same site, the manufacture of intermediate products. It is important to note that pharmaceutical companies manufacturing API’s (active product ingredients) are subject to IPPC permits, while the production of other pharmaceutical products, including intermediates, requires an environmental permit.

Printing Activities

Any reproduction activity of text and/or images in which, with the use of an image carrier, ink is transferred onto whatever type of surface. It includes associated varnishing, coating and laminating techniques. However, only the following sub-processes are subject to these regulations:

  • Flexography: A printing activity using an image carrier of rubber or elastic photopolymers on which the printing areas are above the non-printing areas, using liquid inks which dry through evaporation. Flexography is a web-fed process and is mainly used to print packaging materials such as plastic films and metal foils.
  • Heatset web offset printing: a web-fed printing activity using an image carrier in which the printing and non-printing area are in the same plane, where web-fed means that the material to be printed is fed to the machine from a reel as distinct from separate sheets. The non-printing area is treated to attract water and thus reject ink. The printing area is treated to receive and transmit ink to the surface to be printed. Evaporation takes place in an oven where hot air is used to heat the printed material.
  • Laminating: A process which is normally associated to a printing activity. This involves the adhering together of two or more flexible materials to produce laminates.
  • Publication rotogravure: A rotogravure printing activity used for printing paper for magazines, brochures, catalogs or similar products, using toluene-based links.
  • Rotogravure: A printing activity using a cylindrical image carrier in which the printing area is below the non-printing area, using liquid inks which dry through evaporation. The recesses are filled with ink, and the surplus is cleaned off the non-printing area before the surface to be printed contacts the cylinder and lifts the ink from the recesses.
  • Rotary screen printing: A web-fed printing activity in which the ink is passed onto the surface to be printed by forcing it through a porous image carrier, in which the printing area is open and the non-printing area is sealed off, using liquid inks which dry only through evaporation. Web-fed means that the material to be printed is fed to the machine from a reel as distinct from separate sheet
  • Varnishing: An activity by which a varnish or an adhesive coating for the purpose of later sealing the packaging material is applied to a flexible material.
Rubber Conversion

Any activity of mixing, milling, blending, calendaring, extrusion and vulcanization of natural or synthetic rubber and any ancillary operations for converting natural or synthetic rubber into a finished product.

Surface Cleaning

Any activity except dry cleaning using organic solvents to remove contamination from the surface of material including degreasing. A cleaning activity consisting of more than one step before or after any other activity shall be considered as one surface cleaning activity. This activity does not refer to the cleaning of the equipment but to the cleaning of the surface of products. It is important to note that EU Directive 1999/13/EC states that substances which because of their content of VOCs are classified as R40, R45, R46, R49, R60, R61 or R68 should be replaced by less harmful substances or preparations within the shortest possible time.

Vegetable oil & animal fat extraction and vegetable oil refining activities

Any activity to extract vegetable oil from seeds and other vegetable matter, the processing of dry residues to produce animal feed, the purification of fats and vegetable oils derived from seeds, vegetable matter and/or animal matter.

Vehicle Refinishing

Any industrial or commercial coating and /or degreasing activities carried out on new road vehicles (i.e. from the original manufacturing line) and trailers (including semi-trailers). This means that vehicle refinishing carried out as part of vehicle repair, conservation or decoration outside of manufacturing installations is not included within this list and hence does not fall within scope of SL 549.79.

Winding Wire Coating

Any coating activity of metallic conductors used for winding the coils in transformers and motors, etc. Solvent is used in several coating processes. Coatings contain 60-70% solvents by weight. Firstly, solvent is used for coating the wire with enamel, essential in enabling the enamel to stick to the wire. Secondly, a wax layer is applied on top of the enamel layer. This latter process uses the greatest proportion of solvents. In general, solvent-relevant process steps include the coating and could be also the lubricating process.

Wood Impregnation

Any activity giving a loading or preservative in timber. The application of the preservative may be carried out via vacuum processes, pressure processes, dipping, spraying or brushing. The application efficiency of the vacuum process, dipping and brushing is close to 90 %. Spraying has a much lower efficiency of around 10 %. The main emission source is given by the solvent content of the applied substances. Three types of preservatives are used: water-based ones, solvent-based ones and creosote.

Wood and Plastic Lamination

Any activity to adhere together wood and/or plastic to produce laminated products. Most common solvents used within this industry include hexane, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, and methylene chloride.

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Trade is one activity that can lead to negative impacts on species, especially on endangered species.  A number of such species have experienced serious decline in populations due to demand either for the specimens themselves, or for parts or derivatives therefrom.

Trade-related impacts on species are addressed on an international basis by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Known as CITES, this Convention aims at ensuring that international trade does not threaten wild plant and animal species. It does this by subjecting trade to controls on import, export and re-export of species by applying compliance controls and certifications. Differences apply whether goods are being moved within the European Union, where there is freedom of trade and hence lesser controls, or whether there is trade to or from outside the European Union.

The vulnerability of the species concerned, and the demand levels for the said species all contribute to different classifications and levels of protection by CITES and ensuing legislation.  There are three different appendices in CITES, and four Annexes in the European Union’s Regulation on the Protection of Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by Regulating Trade Therein (EU Regolament / Regulation), and different species are listed in the said Appendices and Annexes depending on the extent of how threatened the species are and the extent of trade activities targeting them. These legal documents are transposed into Maltese law (S.L.549.38​).

Many people are quite mistaken in thinking that CITES only concerns exotic animals such as tigers or bears, or parts from such animals like elephant tusks and rhino horns, and that members of the general public are not really affected by its implications. In reality, many commonplace goods and transactions involve CITES species or derivatives. Many species of pets, such as tortoises and parrots, are CITES-listed, and so are many birds of prey.  Food delicacies such as caviar (eggs of sturgeon), certain high quality timber used in furniture or musical instruments, such as rosewoods and certain mahoganies, the leather derived from certain animal species such as that of alligators, many cacti species, and various plant extracts used in the manufacture of cosmetics, health supplements and diet pills, are CITES-listed and require compliance checks and pre-authorisations especially when imported from outside of the EU. Sale of Annex A species within the European Union, including therefore within Malta itself, also requires certification. Maltese law stipulates that the owners of CITES-listed species must always keep the relevant CITES documentation available. Hence anybody acquiring such specimens from third parties are obliged by law to be in possession of these documents. Failure to do so may result in the specimen being seized and action taken against the owner.

Applying for CITES clearances

It is recommended that anybody considering bringing into Malta (including via the purchase of items over the internet) any products derived from plants or animals from outside the European Union, and any live animals or carcasses (e.g. hunted animals/birds) both from within and from outside the European Union, or is considering acquiring any live or dead animal even from Malta itself, contacts the Environmental Permitting Services  in advance to confirm whether any CITES requirements need to be complied with.  It is to be pointed out that if an item arrives at the border control without any necessary CITES certificates, it would be seized and action taken against the importer.

In Malta, the the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA), which is the CITES Management Authority of Malta, processes more than 75 CITES compliance certifications or clearances per week for transactions covering specimens/items imported from or exported/re-exported out of the European Union. Various traded items all require CITES compliance clearance prior to being imported (or exported). Pet shop fish and coral, fresh-frozen fish for human consumption, cosmetics, medicinals​, clothes, timber products, etc. constitute such goods.

CITES compliance clearances

In order for the ERA to issue a compliance clearance on any item for it to be released on its importation, information is required on the materials being imported/exported, and/or ingredients contained in products. A declaration from the supplier is to clearly state whether any plant or animal products, derivatives, or parts thereof, are included in the items being imported/exported. The declaration should clearly refer to the invoice in question or particular items in the invoice, as necessary. The declaration should cover all items on the invoice as the CITES office will release all the invoice and not specific items on the invoice. The above information is necessary for items or products being imported from a non-EU country, even if the products were originally produced within an EU country.

In the case of exports, the information above is necessary for items or products being exported to a non-EU country, even if the items or products originally reached Malta from an EU country.

For further information contact ERA on https://era.org.mt/contact/

Application forms

For application form, click here.

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The Application Process

An application for an IPPC permit is submitted to ERA using standard forms. In their application, companies must:

  • Submit a description of their proposed activities;
  • Provide details of how the site will be managed and nominate a technically competent person;
  • Indicate the potential for releases of emissions and waste generation and how these will be minimised and monitored;
  • Specify the raw materials, water and energy use of the activity and how resources will be used efficiently;
  • Indicate how the site will be returned to a satisfactory site after operations cease.

Applications may be submitted through the ERIS System which may be accessed from here. Application fees as listed within S.L. 549.77 are to be settled for the validation and further processing of the application.

In addition to submitting the application form to ERA, applicants are required to submit a soft copy to the consultees identified by Regulation 19(2) of the Industrial Emissions (IPPC) Regulations. A signed delivery note is required to be submitted as part of the application submitted to ERA.

The application is assessed by ERA in consultation with the consultees identified by Regulation 19(2) of the Industrial Emissions (IPPC) Regulations, SL 549.77. ERA may ask for further information until enough information is available for a decision. The application is then made public on ERA’s website, ERA’s front office and the local council of the locality in which the installation is proposed, for a period of 30 days during which time the public is invited to comment.

After permitting, the permit application and the permit are made available to the public on ERA’s website. Submissions made as part of permit conditions and inspection reports may also be placed on the website.

Variations of the IPPC Permit

The IPPC permit is a dynamic permit, and may be varied should the Authority think it is necessary to do so, or if the operator makes a request. In the case of substantial changes, a 30-day public consultation period will be required prior to the Authority making a decision, whereas for minor variations a 15-day consultation period may be applicable. Please contact the Environmental Permitting Unit to apply and for further information.

Applying for renewal of the permit

IPPC permits are valid for a specific period, and the operator needs to submit an application for renewal within the time frame specified in the installation’s IPPC permit. An application for renewal should include the following information:

  1. An indication of how the improvements required by the IPPC permit have been implemented;
  2. A comparison of the operation of the plant with the latest relevant BAT conclusions, where applicable;

Please contact the Environmental Permitting Unit on  https://era.org.mt/contact/ to apply and for further information.

Last Updated: 25/06/2025

The quality of the environment is invariably linked to the health and wellbeing of society. This is because there are a number of environmental factors, such as air quality, water quality, chemical and waste management practices that have a bearing on human health.

ERA, together with Superintendence for Public Health, the Environmental Health Directorate and the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning is working on a National Portfolio of Actions on Environment and Health pursuant to the obligations of the Declaration of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health (the Ostrava Declaration). This Action Plan will tackle Noise Pollution, Air Pollution, Transport and Urban Areas, Chemicals, Waste, Water, Climate Change and Environmentally sustainable health systems.

The national species of Malta are the following:

English nameMaltese nameScientific nameDesignationCriteria
Mediterranean killifishil-bużaqqAphanius fasciatusNational fish(a)(c)(e)(g)
Blue rock-thrushil-merill, iċ-ċikkudiddijuMonticola solitariusNational bird(a)(c)(f)(g)
Maltese rock-centaurywidnet il-baħarPalaeocyanus crassifolius [=Cheirolophus crassifolius]National plant(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)
Maltese freshwater crabil-qabru; il-granċ tal-ilma ħeluPotamon fluviatile lanfrancoiNational crustacean(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)
Sandarac gum treel-għargħarTetraclinis articulata [=Callitris quadrivalvis]National tree(a)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)
Maltese honeybeein-naħla ta' MaltaApis mellifera ruttneriNational insect(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)

Criteria for selection

The following criteria for selection were identified to designate National species, provided that such species are in line with one or more of the following:

(a) wild species native to Malta or are representative of the Maltese flora and fauna; or
(b) wild species endemic to the Maltese Islands and its waters; or
(c) species of particular importance because of their scientific, ecological, biodiversity, biogeographical, landscape or educational interest; or
(d) species with specific cultural or historical connection with Malta and its identity; or
(e) threatened, rare and possibly extinct species, particularly species with a restricted distribution in Malta; or
(f) charismatic species that serve as a symbol or focus point to raise environmental awareness and consciousness and can be employed as flagship species; or
(g) species with the potential to enhance acceptance of habitat preservation or capable of favourably influencing attitudes towards environment conservation and management; or
(h) species which in the competent authority’s opinion contain similarly relevant criteria.

Existing conservation measures on the proposed National Species:

    1. The national bird (MT: il-merill; EN: Blue rock-thrush; SN: Monticola solitarius)
Monticola_solitarius_male-ERA-2016
Blue rock-thrush (male)
Monticola_solitarius-AdobeStock-214382510-nd
Blue rock-thrush (female)

This thrush is known from the Palaearctic region and was declared the National Bird in 1971, in response to its exploitation as a caged bird. It is legally protected through the Conservation of Wild Birds Regulations (S.L. 549.42) and is subject to surveillance, monitoring and conservation measures as part of the Natura 2000 network. The blue rock-thrush is known from coastal cliffs in Malta, Gozo and Comino, as well as from St Paul’s Islands and Fungus Rock, besides bastions in the harbour area. All coastal cliffs and the cited islets have management measures in place, which aim at ensuring the long-term maintenance of the range, population size, and habitat of this species. Moreover, the area at il‑Majjistral and Għajn Tuffieħa are administered through the Majjistral Park and a Management Agreement, both of which involve ERA as the Competent Authority, and the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Regeneration of the Grand Harbour (MEER) as the lead Ministry. Additionally, id‑Dwejra/il-Qawra area is also subject to a Management Plan and the coordination of the Dwejra Steering Committee. In terms of awareness, the species is widely respected as the national bird, and was featured in stamps, posters and official currency (i.e. the former LM1 coin).

  1. The national fish (MT: il-bużaqq, EN: Mediterranean killifish; SN: Aphanius fasciatus)
Aphanius fasciatus
Mediterranean killifish (male: top; female: bottom)

This species is a brackish water fish found in the Mediterranean coastal area; in Malta, it is mostly found in saline marshlands. The Mediterranean killifish is already legally protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44), and is subject to surveillance, monitoring and conservation measures as part of the Natura 2000 network. The species is known from good populations at is‑Simar and l‑inħawi tal‑Għadira, but from lower populations at is‑Salini and il‑Magħluq tal‑Baħar ta’ Marsaskala (l/o Marsaskala). In situ conservation is addressed through Management Agreements with BirdLife Malta in relation to is‑Simar, l‑Għadira and is‑Salini, and with Nature Trust Malta (NTM) with respect to il‑Magħluq. Research is also ongoing, in collaboration from the University of Malta in some of the management sites. Additionally, ERA has authorised the execution of ‘The Killifish Conservation Project’ since 2015, led by NTM and the Malta Aquaculture Research Centre (MARC). The primary objective of this project is to implement a captive‑breeding programme to secure a viable population in captivity of il‑Magħluq and is‑Salini populations, which can be used to enhance the natural populations, and raise awareness and educate the public about the importance of preserving this species and its habitats.

  1. The national plant (MT: widnet il-baħar; EN: Maltese rock-centaury; SN: Palaeocyanus crassifolius)
Maltese rock-centaury
Maltese rock-centaury

This very rare and endangered shrub is endemic to the Maltese Islands, mostly known from selected coastal cliffs in Malta and Gozo. It was declared the National Plant in 1971 due to its rarity and importance as a flagship species, and is legally protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44). The Maltese rock-centaury is subject to surveillance, monitoring and conservation measures to ensure the maintenance of range, population size, and habitat of this species, with some of such sites being actively managed. The ornamental species is also propagated ex situ and is also promoted and used in public gardens, urban and rural settings. It was also featured in stamps, posters and official currency (the third series of the LM1 banknote).

  1. The national crustacean (MT: il-qabru; EN: Maltese freshwater crab; SN: Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi)
Potamon_fluviatile-AdobeStock-423817816
Maltese freshwater crab
Maltese Freshwater Crab_il-qabru
Maltese freshwater crab

The Maltese freshwater crab is the only endemic decapod in the Maltese Islands, being limited to a number of areas with perennial or near‑perennial springs, which are capable of holding fresh water for the whole year. It is legally protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44). Its conservation measures are addressed through the approved Water Catchment Management Plan (which addresses freshwater habitats and related impacts); the Natura 2000 management plans (which cover most of the areas where the species is found, and include measures that address invasive alien species, affecting this endemic species); and the related “Dossier on exploited terrestrial animals” (which includes the Maltese freshwater crab. The species was also featured in stamps, posters and official currency (the former 5c coin).

  1. The national tree (MT: l-għargħar; EN: Sandarac gum tree; SN: Tetraclinis articulata)
Sandarac gum tree
Sandarac gum tree

A rare tree species, of which about 100+ individuals occur in the wild, all on the island of Malta. The sandarac gum tree is unreported as a native species on other Maltese Islands; indeed, this conifer is mostly confined to the island of Malta and the region of Murcia in Spain in Europe. It is essentially a Maghrebian African element (known from Morocco to Tunisia). The sandarac gum tree was declared as the National Tree in 1992 and is legally protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44) and the Trees and Woodland Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.123). Its habitat is also subject to the surveillance, monitoring and conservation measures as part of the Natura 2000 network. In this respect, the Conservation Order at il‑Maqluba and the management plan for Wied il‑Miżieb have management measures in place to ensure the long term maintenance, structure and functioning of such species and its habitats. Actions have already been taken to remove waste, debris and invasive alien species in the latter area, with the collaboration of the Mellieħa Local Council and the farmers of the area. Moreover, a number of sites with this species are declared as Tree Protection Areas. The sandarac gum tree was extensively used in landscaping, and was also featured in official posters and other awareness raising material.

  1. The national insect (MT: in-naħla ta’ Malta; EN: Maltese honeybee SN:  Apis mellifera ruttneri)
Apis_mellifera_ruttneri-ERA-2016
Maltese honeybee

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important species in terms of agriculture and biodiversity. They are also an important economic asset which provides essential ecosystem services including pollination and production of bee products, such as honey, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax. The Maltese honeybee or in-naħla ta’ Malta, evolved due to the isolation of the Maltese Islands. It is endemic and unique to the Maltese Islands. Besides being an essential pollinator of many of our wild plants and crops, the Maltese honeybee is also highly adapted to Malta’s hot arid summer. It is also legally protected through the Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations (S.L. 549.44). Its conservation measures are currently being addressed in terms of biodiversity monitoring and citizen science, including the work being implemented in relation to the Malta Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, where many volunteers are assisting ERA. The species was also featured in a commemorative €2 coin to honour this unique species and raise awareness of the need for its preservation.

For more information on the National Species, refer to:

And

The new Species Protection (Designation of National Species) Regulations (S.L. 549.120) came into force on 24 September 2024. These Regulations strengthen the level of legal protection of the above species by increasing the penalties for contraventions against such National Species. In addition, the Regulations promote the conservation, surveillance and monitoring of these species.