Updated at 4.30pm: Adds minister's statement

A warning by the environment minister that he may take over quarries which do not accept the dumping of building debris, as is in their licence conditions, drew a retort by the Developers Association, who said on Tuesday they owners should not be blamed for the current situation.

The warning was made by minister Jose' Herrera in a TVM interview last week after contractors said their work was grinding to a halt because they had nowehere to dispose of the debris.

In a statement, the Malta Developers Association said that most of the quarries are still being exploited to produce raw material for building purposes.

It said it strongly objected to the government’s intention to use the powers of a legal notice to expropriate active quarries.

"Building contractors have been cooperating with the authorities on the disposal of building waste and the MDA assures the minister that such cooperation has led to the problem of building waste being minimised as much as possible."

It urged the government to come up with a long-term solution and called for an urgent consultation meeting with Dr Herrera to discuss the issue.

Minister's statement

In a statement in the afternoon, the minister reiterated that the ministry and the Environment and Resources Authority are closely evaluating the situation and are assessing a number of interim measures and mechanisms from a viability perspective.

While this was being done, increased cooperation from the construction industry is needed to improve the construction and excavation techniques so as to facilitate recycling opportunities leading to a sustainable sector. 

This would lead the situation relating to the disposal of construction waste to be effectively addressed, 

The ERA, the minister said, had also been tasked to prepare a policy from a long term strategic perspective.

The requisition of any excavation void or part thereof would only be executed in extreme situations and if no alternative feasible solution was brokered.

The minister said he remained open to discuss the situation with the relevant stakeholders.

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