New waste initiative to be unveiled soon

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said the government would announce new initiatives on the treatment of domestic waste in a few days' time.

He was speaking during a European Parliament election campaign activity on the importance of the environment sector, but gave no details about the initiatives. When contacted, his spokesman declined to comment further.

In his briefing to the media on April 2, soon after being sworn in as Prime Minister, Dr Gonzi had announced that a report was being drawn up on all the alternatives to the Maghtab landfill, which is now closed except for a temporary storage facility for domestic waste.

Dr Gonzi had said he would contemplate not using a proposed alternative site near the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim neolithic temples - which is the subject of deep controversy - if there were other options.

Speaking in Sliema on Tuesday, Dr Gonzi said that in its electoral manifesto, the PN promised that its candidates for the European Parliament would treat the environment as a priority.

"The environment is an important sector for the family and makes a big difference in the quality of our life," he said.

One of the challenges in this area, he added, revolved around the treatment of both domestic and construction waste.

He urged voters to choose the most capable candidates to represent Malta in the European Parliament and said the Nationalist Party was presenting eight candidates who were consistent in their visions and capable of working in the best interests of the country.