NEWS | Wednesday, 11 February 2009

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Tomorrow the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee will be discussing the case brought up by Lija residents against the dust emissions from the Blokrete factory.
AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said AD will back the requests of the Lija residents in their petition.
“It is really the Maltese government that is failing its citizens. There are no clear, enforceable laws to limit the levels of stone dust emissions in Maltese law. There are other places where dust is also a problem such as in Attard where quarries create a similar nuisance. It is the Maltese government which must take the bull by the horns and provide the necessary legal framework to tackle this issue effectively.”
Mr Michael Zammit, a Lija resident, petitioned the European Parliament to complain about the noise and dust produced by Blokrete Ltd, and the effect on nearby residents.
The European Commission has confirmed that the particulate matter (PM10) emitted by the Blokrete Plant is causing pollution in excess of levels permitted under EU legislation.
The same industrial plant was the focus of on-and-off campaigns since the famous White Dust Case featured regularly on the pages of the Times of Malta in the 1960s.
Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson on energy, industry and transport added: “The Green Group in the European parliament is the party that has always and consistently demanded that emissions which are resulting in health and environmental problems for citizens be drastically curbed. Unfortunately, the request by the Greens for higher standards have quite often been shot down by other political groups.”

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below.
Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.