Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/608340
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 2015 13 News News -\SS*VSV\Y=LYZPVU C: M: Y: K: 0 0 0 100 C: M: Y: K: 0 100 100 0 C: M: Y: K: 50 100 100 20 TUNA AQUAMED MFF Ltd. - Hangar, Triq it-Trunciera, Marsaxlokk MXK1522 T: 2247 5000 E: contact@ebcon.com.mt www.mff.com.mt Farmed in Maltese offshore waters and delivered to you with special attention to freshness and to the highest standards. LOOK FOR OUR QUALITY MARK IN YOUR SUPERMARKET, FISHMONGER OR RESTAURANT FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. EAT FRESH EAT HEALTHY ENJOY OUR SEA BREAM Unlicensed zoo allowed to operate CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Montekris- to Estates is owned by the Polidano Group and the vast expanse of land at Hal Farrug is riddled with illegal development. Last summer, visitors to the Mon- tekristo trade fair were asked to add their name to a petition urging the government to grant a permit to the estate's unlicensed zoo. The actual wording of the petition was calling on the planning author- ity to grant the zoo a permit. No development can take place in the park since it is not covered by a planning permit. Charges have already been filed against Charles Polidano, known as ic-Caqnu, over alleged infringe- ments at the zoo, including breach- es of the Animal Welfare Act. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has in the past said that the collection of animals at the zoo include over 60 different species enjoying international pro- tection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It includes exotic wild animals like pumas, lynx and lions, all of which were housed to bigger homes under pres- sure from the authorities. Montekristo says all its animals have been purchased from zoos and breeders within the EU, and were all certified according to CITES and other international standards. All animals had the required documenta- tion at law when they were imported and such documentation was handed over for examination and approval by the compe- tent authorities since 2009. But NGOs BirdLife, Flimkien għal Am- bjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Gaia Foundation, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, Graffiti, Nature Trust and Ramblers Association have in the past said that live animals were suffering while the authorities were dragging their feet after the animal park was served with at least two warning letters by the Veterinary Di- rectorate because of the poor conditions animals are kept in, but no move has been made to close it down. Legacy of irregularity Illegalities at the compound that hosts the Polidano Group have haunted the company for years but action from vari- ous administrations has always been slug- gish at best. In July, the police withheld a permit for the holding of the Fiera l-Kbira trade fair at Montekristo Estates, after the MEPA objected to the permit being given, be- cause of enforcement orders on the site at Hal-Farrug. The fair went ahead as scheduled after an appeal was lodged with the police licences board. MEPA had said that the trade fair can take place only on the land where there are no planning il- legalities, which leaves out a large open space where the fair had to be sited. While the Polidano Group has re- moved numerous illegalities on site, the MEPA enforcement notices on the area in question still stood back in July, such as that on an illegal car park over a huge tract of land. Spread over an area of 300,000 square metres, Charles Polidano turned the area into an exhibition space, wedding venue, a zoo, and a winery… but altogether it has been hit by numerous enforcements for repeated planning illegalities over the years. MEPA was then keen to appear consistent on the permit refusal, when back in October 2014 the police refused a permit for a drift- ing competition at Montekristo Es- tates, after MEPA objected. Despite enforcements dealt against him, Polidano has defied MEPA only recently by carrying out fin- ishing works on an office block in Luqa which the authority says is illegal. The five-storey office block was only partly covered by a permit but Polidano built two additional floors without plan- ning approval. The block is adjacent to Montekristo Estates. Reporting by Matthew Vella, Rachel Zammit Cutajar and Teodor Reljic A lioness at Montekristo zoo