On Wednesday, 27th August 2008 the MEPA DCC A Board will be evaluating an application for a new cow farm that is situated right next to residential homes and that will be taking up circa 4500m2 of fresh arable agricultural land. The MEPA case officer that carried out the application assessment found no objection to this development and is recommending that this Planning Application be granted a development permission.

This comes as no surprise as only last April, MEPA granted another outline development permit for the construction of a pig farm on another 5,000m2 of fresh arable agricultural land very close to this proposed development.

All this is happening when just across the alley from this proposed development, an application is pending for the construction of warehousing facilities (PA 06929/07) in a long abandoned farming structure that occupies circa 18,000m2 of land. Other farmhouses in the vicinity are also being converted and used for other purposes, such as the storage of building construction material and machinery.

MEPA’s recent “State of the environment Report” clearly states that MEPA has to lay greater emphasis on the protection of our rural environment. The taking up of more agricultural land for development does not augur well for the future.

In this evaluation, the case office chose to apply MEPA’s planning policies selectively to the advantage of the applicant who is already the operator of a huge cow farm at Buskett Road in Rabat and has recently benefited from EU funds to upgrade this farm.

In spite of the huge negative visual and physical impact these large cowsheds will have, being situated on Triq is-Salina on the way to Naxxar, a very busy road widely used by both Maltese and tourists, the Case Officer completely ignored Policy 1.3A (Policy and Design Guidance, Agriculture, Farm Diversification and Stables) which seeks to preserve rural character and landscape.

The Case Officer also ignored “Policy 1.3B: Amenity, which clearly states that “in considering applications for development permission, the Authority will seek to protect the amenity of the surrounding areas, particularly any nearby dwellings and/or public open space. MEPA WILL NOT PERMIT proposed development which, in its opinion, would cause an unacceptable conflict with adjacent legitimate activities.”

At a time when great importance is being given to sustainability and the protection and promotion of locally-grown agricultural products, the availability of Maltese produce in the shops is diminishing. The swallowing-up of agricultural land for structures which can be accommodated elsewhere is accelerating this tendency. This is just one case symptomatic of planning shortcomings that are impacting the whole sector.

The Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs has a policy on the animal husbandry industry and the re-location of animal farms. However, are these policies being applied in sustainable manner, taking into account the fast depletion of arable agricultural land? In a situation where a number of farms are facing closure because of competition, prevailing market trends and failure to meet sanitary/environmental standards, is it wise to encourage the construction of new farms? Why are existing farming structures being allowed to be converted to industrial and other uses?

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