Malta to get pre-accession funds for environment

MEPs Caroline Jackson and Mrs Jutta Haug reported back to the European Parliament`s Environment Committee when it met in Brussels yesterday, and were told that Malta would get funding to help with the environment.

During their presentation on their visit to Malta, the MEPs concentrated on issues relating to Malta`s problems with waste, and the difficulties regarding the EU`s existing law on the protection of birds.

Both confirmed that they wanted Malta to have more chance of gaining environment funding from Brussels before joining the EU.

They also confirmed their belief that a way could be found for sustainable hunting of birds to continue in Malta.

Following members` questions, Waddah Saab of the European Commission`s Enlargement Directorate, confirmed that Malta would gain help for environmental improvements under the arrangements for pre-accession funding that will be available next year, Dr Jackson said in a statement.

"This is great news. The Commission is now talking of some E12 million next year. It will be up to Malta how it spends the money but it would be a very good idea to spend it on something tangible so that people can see that the European Union is serious about helping Malta gain a cleaner environment," she said.