Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547205
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 21 OCTOBER 2026 NEWS TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURE The Planning Authority would like to inform the public and its customers that the Planning Directorate and the Development Management Directorate offices will be closed on Thursday 22 October. nd On Friday 23 October the Planning Authority Offices in Marsa and Floriana will be closed all day as the Authority is organising a Staff Development Day for all its employees. rd The Authority's enforcement emergency services will remain fully operational. All planning applications and their respective plans may be viewed free of charge through the Authority's e-Application systems. We apologise for any inconvenience. www.pa.org.mt Italy's trucker protest reaches Malta's Eurospin supermarket ROWS of shelves at popular su- permarket Eurospin have been left empty as stock has failed to arrive on time to Malta follow- ing protests in Italy. Photos of the store show long, nearly empty shelves, a chilled display with only a few bags left, and a chiller with nearly empty shelves. Whilst other sections look better stocked, several chest freezers and butcher counter trays also stand empty. Although it has not been confirmed, this is likely due to trucker protests in Italy over rising diesel prices. When con- tacted by MaltaToday, a Eu- rospin spokesperson said the company would not be issuing a statement. Major supermarket chains, like Lidl and Eurospin, fre- quently import fresh items, vegetables, meat, and pantry goods from Sicily. The protests have spread across southern Italy since the weekend. Protesters say rising fuel costs are squeezing haul- age firms and self-employed drivers, and that the govern- ment failed to ease the burden. Truckers have blocked access to Naples' commercial port, while roadblocks and demon- strations have affected Cal- abria, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily, whilst fresh produce has been hit hardest by the slow- down. Italian reports describe short- ages of yoghurt, dairy products, meat, fruit and vegetables in parts of Sicily, Campania and Calabria. Confcommercio Si- cilia estimates that five days of stoppage have cost retailers and the fresh-food chain €40- 50 million on the island alone. The Sicilian Trucking Com- mittee, behind a five-day stop- page, says it is not blocking roads, but only refusing to move trailers off ships. They say their action will end once transport minister Matteo Sal- vini formally signs his commit- ments. Major supermarket chains, like Lidl and Eurospin, fre- quently import fresh items, vegetables, meat, and pan- try goods from Sicily (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Major supermarket chains, like Lidl and Eurospin, fre- quently import fresh items, vegetables, meat, and pan- try goods from Sicily (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Salvini, also deputy prime minister, said the €430 million already in the sector's budget would start being paid out this week. He promised additional funds and cash for the Marebo- nus shipping incentive. The trucker group Traspor- tounito wants a 15% rise in haulage rates. Farmers have joined the haulage workers, and Molise fishermen plan to keep their boats in port on Thursday 22 October. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Whilst other sections look better stocked, several chest freezers and butcher counter trays also stand empty (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday) Although it has not been confirmed, this is likely due to trucker protests in Italy over rising diesel prices (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)