Clarification on Wardija broiler farm

 

FAA clarifies its previous press release regarding the broiler unit at the Wardija Natura 2000 site. While MEPA permit PA5784/08 related to the erection of a manure clamp, cesspits and the sanctioning of a hut, the contested issue was the legality of the broiler unit itself. The applicants did not seek to sanction this huge structure, claiming it was in place in 1988 and therefore did not need a permit. MEPA’s EPC accepted a certificate that it had existed although the MEPA aerial photos did not show any such building on this site in 198. Granting the permit for the manure clamp and cesspits effectively permitted the broiler unit to continue to operate, since without the manure clamp and cesspits the chicken farm would not have been viable.

FAA cannot understand how the EPC could request an assessment of the landscaping scheme and ask the Environment Protection Directorate to assess the survey of hydrology and watercourse related ecology AFTER approving this permit in a Natura 2000 site.

It is particularly disheartening that in granting this permit, the EPC overlooked Ing Marco Cremona’s very serious and damning concerns:

“THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT, AT THE TIME OF CONSTRUCTION, THE BROILER FARM INTERCEPTED THE NATURAL WATERCOURSE.

ANY FURTHER CONSTRUCTIONS WOULD REQUIRE FOUNDATIONS TO BE EXCAVATED IN THE BLUE CLAY GEOLOGICAL FORMATION (ITSELF A PROTECTED GEOLOGICAL RESOURCE), AND ALSO NECESSITATE PILING BECAUSE OF UNSTABLE GROUND.”

In claiming that the farm was in existence in 1988 MEPA might wish to re-examine its 1988 aerial photos as the only building on site at the time was this ancient farmhouse dating back hundreds of years – hardly a plant capable of producing 14,400 chickens. This is why FAA stated that the permit went out without seriously investigating the case – the least one would imagine would be a report by MEPA’s Natural Heritage Advisory Unit and an on-site visit to identify the small structure showing up on the 1988 photos. This did not happen and instead a permit was issued which effectively permits the farm to continue operating on this Special Area of Conservation of International Importance.

This area was designated by MEPA itself as a Tree Protected Area stating that “the population of holm oak (ballut) in these woodlands probably represents the oldest oak trees in the Maltese islands. These trees form one of the four Maltese forest remnants that date back more or less 1,000 years ago.”

MEPA’s own Case Officer had strongly recommended refusal of this permit requiring illegal excavation of Blue Clay – had the EPC upheld this recommendation, the area could have been returned to its original state before the farm was built abusively without permission of the landowners. Instead we have once again rewarded abusers and missed an opportunity to salvage a unique corner of Malta’s dwindling natural heritage.