Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537666
3 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JULY 2025 NEWS Zurrieq councillors unite to request Tal-Bebbux land transfer to protect agricultural land LOCAL councillors in Żurrieq are presenting a united front to safeguard agricultural land at the centre of a dispute between the community, private interests, and government. The issue revolves around a state-owned land in an area known as Tal-Bebbux, which has been tilled by the same fami- lies of farmers for generations. In 2022, the farmers received a notice to vacate the land. It later transpired that a private developer who owns land next to the fields wanted a new access road to his site that passed through the agri- cultural land. The Labour Party-led local coun- cil had objected to the proposed road twice but the government kept defending its position to ter- minate the agricultural leases. Now, the local councillors are expected to meet with Lands Min- ister Owen Bonnici in the coming days. Bonnici was only recently handed the lands portfolio, previ- ously held by Stefan Zrinzo Azz- opardi. According to local council meet- ing minutes, Mayor Rita Grima suggested the government hand over the land to the local council so that it ensures it will "not be touched." PN local councillor Kyle Mifsud agreed with the move, noting that his party had also proposed this. Bonnici, who was given the lands portfolio in May, is one of four ministers who contest the 5th Dis- trict of which Żurrieq forms part of. The locality is the largest in the district and a PL stronghold. Speaking to MaltaToday, Gri- ma and Mifsud were on the same page, agreeing that should the Lands Authority pass the land over to the local council, the field would remain for agricultural pur- poses. This is the latest development in a years'-long struggle by two young farmers, Annalisa Schem- bri, and Robert Carter Bondin, who refuse to lose a field that has been tilled by their families. In an interview with MaltaToday last April, the pair appealed to pol- iticians to "do the right thing" and keep the land agricultural. The Tal-Bebbux saga is only part of the ongoing onslaught Żurrieq is facing on its agricultural her- itage. In another area, known as Nigret, agricultural land that had been included in the development zone in 2006, is being slated for development despite opposition from residents and activists. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt (Left to right): Rita Grima and Kyle Mifsud