Two squatters are among the 17 farmers set to be relocated from their existing cow farms to a new complex in Siggiewi: a move which will free historical fortifications and residential areas from the noise, smell and dirt caused by these farms.
In all, 17 dairy cattle farms will be developed to replace the existing farms situated within urban settlements and sites of historical importance in Malta.
The two squatters are presently occupying a stretch of land besides Bieb is-Sultan next to the Zabbar and the Birgu bastions, which currently host 94 cows.
Asked why the government is also relocating two squatters, a spokesperson for the Ministry for the Environment and Rural Affairs replied that although these producers are squatters, “they have been recognised by the Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture”.
Two other farmers who are to be relocated currently rear 106 cows in Fort San Anard in Zabbar. But unlike the two squatters, their position in the historical fort is legal despite the historical richness of the fort.
A third producer who will also be re-located had his farm at St Peter’s Fort/Battery. He was recently evicted by the lands department due to the Smart City project.
The other farms set to be relocated to Siggiewi are located in the middle of residential towns like Bormla, Fgura, Lija, Mosta, Msida and Zabbar.
One 80-cow farm lies immediately next to a school in Cospicua, while another currently hosting 47 cows lies next to another school in Santa Venera.
Apart from the 17 cow farms set to be relocated, a manure treatment facility will also be developed to cater for the disposal, storage and treatment of manure from the same farms. The plant will be used to develop fertilizer and bio mass energy.
The manure treatment facility will serve as a central depot where farmers can dispose of their manure.
The proposed dairy cattle farms,manure treatment facility and fodder storage facility are anticipated to cost around Lm5.0 million. The cattle farms will be financed by the farmers, utilizing EU funding. The manure treatment facility will be financed by the Government, utilizing EU funding.
The new farms will be located in an area known as Tal-Kabbocci in Siggiewi. At present, this proposed site is part of an abandoned poultry farm and is used as a parking place for redundant containers and trucks.
The nearest habitable building from the proposed farm is Dar tal-Providenza, which lies approximately 750 metres away from the proposed development.
An alternative location which is being considered is to locate the development at the “old” airstrip road. However, the fields adjacent to the road are all arable land.
The facility will be a covered by a leak-proof structure to avoid ground water pollution.