Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547510
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 NOVEMBER 2026 NEWS WITH SAVIOUR BALZAN THURSDAY AT 10.15PM ON TVM Momentum flags government's reversal on zoo licences pledge MOMENTUM has questioned government's commitment to animal welfare after Mon- tekristo Estate was granted a zoo licence. The party noted that the li- cence comes despite commit- ments made in the Labour Par- ty's 2026 electoral manifesto. The manifesto pledged that no new zoo licences would be issued to facilities keeping dangerous animals, that such animals would not be replaced when they die, and that their presence in Malta's zoos would gradually come to an end. Katya Compagno, an execu- tive member of Momentum, called on the government to explain how the licensing deci- sion aligns with these commit- ments. The party also raised concerns about regulatory enforcement, pointing to what it described as a recurring pattern of unau- thorised developments being approved retrospectively. It cited recent Planning Au- thority decisions concerning L-Arka ta' Noè Zoo in Siġġie- wi, where further development, including the regularisation of unauthorised structures and additional facilities, was ap- proved. Earlier this week, MaltaToday reported that L-Arka ta' Noe regularised development that had already started against a statutory fine of €31,869, while the applicant will also pay a separate €25,000 planning gain towards environmental im- provement projects in Siġġiewi. In their statement, Momen- tum spoke of Montekristo's legal history, noting that its operator was convicted in 2021 of offences including operating an illegal zoo, failing to register animals and causing unneces- sary animal suffering. It argued that the cases of Montekristo and L-Arka ta' Noè raise questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight and the enforcement of planning and animal welfare rules. Compagno said government should demonstrate how it in- tends to ensure compliance at such establishments, particu- larly in light of its 2026 mani- festo. She called on the government to clarify whether its manifesto commitments would be reflect- ed in its regulatory decisions. MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt The manifesto pledged that no new zoo licences would be issued to facilities keeping dangerous animals, that such animals would not be replaced when they die, and that their presence in Malta's zoos would gradually come to an end