Magħtab farmers propose alternative sites for waste-to-energy plant

The government has rejected farmers’ proposals for alternative sites in Magħtab to build a new waste-to-energy plant. A group of Magħtab farmers wrote to Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia proposing other stretches of land – close by and in a poor state – that could, they said, be used instead of taking away their arable land and their livelihood. The proposals were considered but it has been decided the project will go ahead as planned on the chosen sites, an Environmental Ministry spokeswoman said when contacted. “Government regards the farming community as a very important stakeholder. After carefully examining the views put forward, the total area for expropriation was reduced from 279,000sqmetres to 82,000,” she said. “We believe that the final setup as presented in the last days strikes the best balance between all the available options.” The government, she said, had looked at the farmers’ options. They included a site that is home to various endemic trees and garigue habitat and another one located on the Żwejra landfill, which is excluded for engineering reasons. “Out of all the remaining options, the chosen sites are regarded as the most suitable,” she said, adding...