Ralph Cassar, Energy and Environment spokesperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, has urged George Pullicino, Minister of the Environment, to vote in favour of the soil directive, this Thursday in Brussels. "We need to safeguard the little soil that is left in Malta if we want to safeguard our bio-diversity," Mr Cassar said.

"The Mediterranean countries, like Greece, Spain and Italy, are strongly in favour of this directive, since much of their identity and economy is based on agriculture. On the contrary, Britain, Germany, France and Germany are opposing this directive. "Malta could be decisive in this vote," Mr Cassar added.

Soil is essentially a non renewable source. There has been significant increase in soil degradation in Europe which will continue without determined action, affecting also the capacity of soil to capture carbon from the atmosphere. The proposed legislation aims to protect soil by preserving soil functions, preventing soil degradation and mitigating its effects; identifying contaminated sites and remdiating them and integrating soil issues into other policies.

Victor Galea, AD Secretary General and spokesperson for Gozo, concluded by saying, "It is imperative that Malta votes to have its soil defended and enhanced. This is even more important for Gozo and the northern areas in Malta, where a higher number of the population is involved in agriculture. We need to safeguard our soil if we want to safeguard our agriculture, our diversity and our economy."