|
The manifesto of the European Popular Party (EPP-ED) reflects much of the political thinking that has guided the Nationalist Party (PN) over the last twenty-five years or so. This should be of no surprise since the PN is not only a member of the EPP-ED but has also actively participated in the process that led to the drawing up of its manifesto.
As a PN candidate for the European Parliament election next Saturday I feel this is the right moment to declare where we stand on environmental issues. We have always believed that the dignity of man should be the focus of all political activity, at any level. Society is for the individual and not the other way around: human beings should not be slaves to some grand scheme imposed from above for the sake of some quixotic socialist dream on social integration. Safeguarding the environment is in the interest of the individual and not the other way about: the environment should not be elevated to the altar of a political ideology for its own sake.
We believe that we should aim at assuring an ever-improving quality of life for the present day citizen and more so for our children and for all human beings who will inhabit our country after we are long gone.
This is the reason why we believe that all development should be sustainable ie development that will not irreparably damage the environment. In other words, physical development, a sine qua non for economic development, must not be carried out whatever the consequences: we have to safeguard the enjoyment of the environment for humankind and protect public health.
We are also confident that Malta will be able to use EU funds to assure sustainable development and to improve our infrastructure so as to protect our environment. The use of EU funds for sewage treatment plants is a paramount example of the application of this idea in practice. As a result, the Maltese islands will be able to boast of a better quality of sea and bathing water around our coast.
We must also look into the energy sector with a critical eye as we should not keep on depending on imported oil for the production of all our electrical energy needs and we in Malta must also join the rest of the EU member states in our quest for alternative sources of energy.
Our transport policy – road-building and regulations on motor vehicles and other means of transport – must also reflect our policy of safeguarding the environment so that Maltese citizens can enjoy a high quality of life.
Protecting the quality of our life must also entail certain aspects regarding the protection of the consumer. The recent series of food scandals has shown us the degree to which food quality is a concern for EU citizens. The creation of the European Food Safety Authority in December 2001 was a first, important step in the right direction. Nonetheless, we believe additional measures are required, such as guaranteeing wholesome food throughout the food chain; combating animal diseases and preventing their reappearance; and promoting high-quality foods.
Today, Maltese citizens live longer and have a healthier lifestyle than ever. However, new health risks are appearing and increasing numbers of Europeans are suffering from lifestyle related diseases. In fact, low physical activity, unhealthy nutrition and consumption of tobacco and alcohol are amongst the main reasons for health problems today.
Together with the other Members of the European Parliament in the EPP group, the Maltese Nationalist MEPs will strive to ensure that all citizens are provided with the highest possible level of health protection and will primarily push for: the implementation of the new EU Public Health programme; the establishment of an effective monitoring and coordinated response capacity at EU level to tackle disease threats and outbreaks; guaranteeing the mobility and well-being of the elderly; improving the quality of life of people suffering from mental illnesses; as well as preventing and combating pollution-related illnesses, especially those related to respiratory diseases.
We want to raise our environmental standards not simply play lip-service to the notion. Everyone knows that the MLP that is now trying to brag about the record of the European Socialists on environmental issues in the European Parliament is the same MLP that in Government disregarded the environment impact of whatever it decided to do. It is enough to recall the installation of coal-fired boilers at the Marsa power station and the way the rate of the increase of built-up areas went unchecked when it was in power.
The PN has led Malta away from the mediocrity of those days and now intends to lead Malta to reach the high standards that are necessary for us to improve our quality of life for our citizens’ and for our children’s sake.
Michael Falzon, a former Minister, is a PN candidate for the European Parliament
elections – micfal@maltanet.net
|
