Nature Trust (Malta) held its Annual General Meeting for 2010. During this AGM, the Hon General Secretary gave a detailed report of the organisations past year’s work while the Acting Finance Secretary presented the accounts for 2009. During this event the new NTM Council was elected.

In his statement to the members the Executive President, Vincent Attard, said that the natural environment in the Maltese islands is again facing a major challenge since it has again found itself on the back burner of the national authorities. NTM feels that where the protection of Natura 2000 sites and sites of ecological and scientific importance are concerned, the authorities are failing massively in providing the required protection. Furthermore the organisation believes that the same applies to legally protected species in our Islands. The NGO has called on the national authorities budget after budget to allocate funds for the protection of Biodiversity and ecological important sites, however the very little was done. Moreover – despite repeated calls, year after year, to beef up the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit, within the Police, nothing was done and the unit is still with a handful of officers to protect our environment. NTM thanks the ALE for their dedication

The Executive President added that one cannot blame Nature Trust if it is feeling frustrated especially this year, since it is suppose to be dedicated to Biodiversity. The lack of information on our biodiversity and Natura 2000 sites from the national authorities such as Mepa, give the reflection that the environment is the least of the authorities concerns at this point in time Although taking a proactive approach in nature protection, The NGO is also very disappointed at how it has been treated while undertaking projects by certain authorities.

Mr Attard said that it was for this reason that NTM is encouraging its member to participate in the Rally being organised by a number of NGOs next Saturday. NTM is not participating with a political motive but an environmental one and therefore it disassociates itself from any political slogans that may appear and join this rally. All NTM wants is that the authorities wake up and give our natural heritage the protection it deserves. After all it is today their duty to do so under the EU directives and so NTM demands it.

Mr Attard stated that NTM is now facing new challenges for our natural heritage such as exotic wildlife being release in our Islands by irresponsible persons, exotic pests appearing due to importation of trees rather then the use of indigenous one, no will for marine protected areas. He appealed to political parties to unit on environmental issues rather then make the environment a political ball.

Mr Attard thanked all members, active volunteers for their never ending support and the general public who is always contacting NTM to report illegal environmental activities.

The new elected NTM Council for 2010 – 2012 are: Vincent Attard, Orland Bonavia, Zachary Engerer, Hubert Theuma, Arnold Sciberras, Annalise Falzon, Jeffrey Sciberras, Sarah Muscat. Esther Sammut Carbone and Graziella Cavlan