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3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 AUGUST 2023 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI ORIENTAL Hornets became a promi- nent subject of discussion last summer as people shared their encounters with the fierce creatures. Their conspicuous presence was ev- ident across both rural and urban set- tings, with the amber-toned insects buzzing around in search of food. However, the situation has taken a positive turn this year. The oriental hornet is reddish brown in colour with a distinctive yellow dis- coloration on its head and abdomen. It starts appearing at around May all through to October. The hornet has an aggressive temperament and is also a predator that can kill insects like grass- hoppers and honeybees. Pest controller Arnold Sciberras said industry specialists were bracing them- selves for a surge in hornet populations this summer, but several factors pre- vented this from happening. "This year we had fluctuations in the weather and temperatures, and the hornet is not suitable for such weather patterns, leading to lower reproduction rates," he said. Apiculturist and Secretary General of Għaqda Trobbija tan-Naħal u Għasel Malti, Rodney Galea shared Sciberras' sentiment, stating the longer winter helped curb hornet numbers. The experts also agreed the culling of hornet queens has contributed greatly to keep oriental hornet populations un- der control. "When you kill a queen, you prevent it from hatching around 1,000 workers and around 12 other queens," Galea said. "So, you can see how the situation can quickly spin out of control." Sciberras said pest exterminators had been working on killing queens and nests from the early months of this year. Rodney Galea also said during the past year there has been increased awareness among people on how to properly dis- pose of rubbish, and not leave organic matter out in the open. "A clear exam- ple of this are cat feeders, who across the country are making sure not to leave wet food lying out in the open, especial- ly during warmer days." The positive effects are already being felt, and while beekeepers are still suf- fering last year's effects, after more than 65% of the country's honeybee popula- tions were eradicated, the future looks bright. "We have already registered an in- crease in honey production and bee populations, so yes, we are doing much better this year," Galea said. But both warned the situation should not be taken for granted. "A drop in hornet populations was reg- istered in 2013, and experts in the field thought they were gone forever, but we know what happened last year, and so we should not let our guard down," Sci- berras insisted. Last year, government announced a fi- nancial aid scheme to help beekeepers buy equipment to catch oriental hornet queens and repopulate the local bee population. LUKE VELLA PRIME Minister Robert Abela told developers not to submit non-starter development appli- cations that go against the plan- ning regulations. During an interview on One Radio on Saturday morning, Abela said he was delighted with the nurses and midwives' approval of the new sectorial agreement. "This agreement means bet- ter conditions, salaries and al- lowances, and an investment in healthcare and the patient," Abela said. Nurses in all grades will re- ceive a management allowance and extra hours worked will now be compensated at over- time rates after 87% of them ap- proved a new five-year sectorial agreement on Friday. The PM said that the five-year agreement would cost tens of millions of euros and would help attract more people to the profession. Asked about the environment, Abela said that the government was determined to see through projects of green open spaces and to preserve untouched land. He said the government was delivering a message that village cores and virgin land should be preserved. Questioned by the radio host Manuel Micallef about the planning application to trans- form a residential palazzo in Birkirkara's urban conservation area into a 38-room hotel, Abe- la said that this goes against the government's message. He refused to go into the spe- cifics of the case but said that the application was a non-start- er and that the Planning Au- thority had to take a clear de- cision as per the policies and guidelines it had. Abela had harsh words for developers that submitted ap- plications that did not respect the planning regulations. "Ap- plications that do not conform to the regulations should not be submitted. This serves only to anger and antagonise the com- munity." He added that applications in the village core had to convince the community that they were an added value. "There are still those 'cowboys' who believe they can force their position," Abela said. "There should be a balance between economic growth and sustainability. If you own a private property, you can't do whatever you like with it. Bring forward sustainable projects that make sense, and you will have our backing." Asked about the Appeals Court's decision to confirm the rejection of a development pro- ject in Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo, the PM said that plans were underway to implement changes to the local plans to protect the bay and the adjacent land. He said the Labour govern- ment was against any develop- ment in the zone, except for af- forestation projects. Questioned about yet another police raid, during which per- sons found to be living illegal- ly in Malta were arraigned and will face deportation. Abela emphasised that people have to come legally to Malta and be observant of the laws. "If you come to our country be- cause it needs you, you need to come here legally and observe the laws. If you don't you will be taken to court and possibly de- ported," Abela said. The PM also spoke about the importation of foreign labour and said that these workers had to come to work in sectors that needed them. "Foreigners coming to Malta should come to work in sectors that require them." He also spoke about the recent reform in the licencing of cab drivers, where it is not an obli- gation for drivers to have a Eu- ropean Union driving license. Abela said that better enforce- ment and safety standards were required in the sector and stat- ed that there was an excessive number of cab drivers in Malta. He also said that the employ- ers in the sector had so many workers to choose from, mak- ing employees replaceable and leading to degrading conditions of work. 'Do not submit non-starter applications that go against regulations,' Abela tells developers Haven't spotted any Oriental Hornets? Thank the weather Weather f luctuations and culling have led to a drop in killer hornet numbers, but experts warn people should remain vigilant Prime Minister Robert Abela