Brussels has urged Malta to implement a proper air pollution control program, nearly a year after it missed the deadline.   

The European Commission said that along with Romania and Greece, Malta has yet to adopt its first national plan to mitigate air pollution.  

Member States should have sent their national air pollution control programmes to the Commission by April 2019. 

Malta has repeatedly topped the list of EU countries whose population has reportedly been exposed to high air pollution.  

Last year Times of Malta reported how early deaths due to air quality in Malta are more than twice as high as previously thought, with 576 people dying prematurely.

Malta has now been ordered to send its plan to the Commission as required by the EU directive on the reduction of national emissions of atmospheric pollutants.   

Under this directive, member states are obliged to draw up, adopt and implement their respective programmes to limit their annual emissions. The directive aims to achieve levels of air quality that limit the negative impacts on human health and the environment. 

“Despite previous reminders, Greece, Malta and Romania have until now failed to meet their obligations,” the Commission said.  

Brussels has now issued Malta with what is known as a letter of formal notice giving the island two months to toe the line. 

If Malta fails to comply, the Commission may decide to send what is known as a reasoned opinion – the final stage before initiating legal proceedings at the European Courts of Justice.