Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536039
WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT WEDNESDAY EDITION €1.00 WEDNESDAY • 4 JUNE 2025 • ISSUE 943 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt ERA demands landscaping plan for Montekristo but no impact study CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 'No final decision yet on Manoel Island,' Abela says ROBERT Abela has asked for a legal analysis of the Manoel Island concession in a nod to petitioners want- ing the land to be returned to public ownership. The prime minister yes- terday insisted he will be prioritising the public in- terest. "I will not try to spin this issue as one that is al- ready decided because it's not," he said, in a change of tone from previous com- ments he gave. Abela did not exclude tak- ing action if it is established that the concessionaires breached the contract but urged caution against "im- pulsive actions." The only solution he excluded was using taxpayer money to "buy out" speculators. A petition signed by 29,000 people is calling for Manoel Island to become a public park. The island was granted to MIDI plc in 2000 as part of the Tigné Point and Manoel Island conces- sion. Abela said he will be meet- ing the organisers of the pe- tition on Friday. SEE ALSO PAGES 4-5 EDITORIAL PAGE 11 Variable interest rate of 2.80% * Low contribution Low collateral requirements *Business Lending Bank Base Rate presently at 2.15%, Interest Margin and EIF Guarantee Fee. The BOV SME Grow and the BOV SME Grow Green are funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund with the financial backing of the Republic of Malta under the InvestEU Member State Compartment for Malta. All loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from the Bank. Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Żakkarija, il-Belt Valletta, VLT 1130. Bank of Valletta p.l.c. is a public limited company regulated by the MFSA and is licenced to carry out the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371 of the laws of Malta). Grow green BOV SME Supporting Your Vision CONTACT US The government has imposed sweeping restrictions on bird-related activities after Newcastle disease was detected at two poultry farms. The emergency measures are intended to contain the highly contagious virus that is potentially devastating to bird populations. The ban extends to: pigeon races, all bird participation in fairs and open markets; external bird displays in pet shops, outdoor exercise of pigeons, falconry activities outside the premises of bird owners, hatchery sales of chicks for non-commercial use, export of poultry products, unregulated movement or disposal of poultry manure. FACED with a fait accompli, the environ- ment watchdog has concluded that no studies are required to assess the impact of regularising the illegal works at Mon- tekristo Estate. In this way, the sanctioning of one of Malta's largest-ever illegal developments has cleared another hurdle with the Envi- ronment and Resources Authority (ERA) only asking for a landscaping plan. The application to sanction the family park, which includes a zoo, equestrian fa- cilities with spectator stands, clubhouses, horse event preparation areas, and a so- called museum, dates back to 2010. Virus alert