Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/734922
6 JAMES DEBONO NATURE Trust has expressed "great concern" at the proposed construction of a garage and a vet's office in a scheduled area that enjoys Level 2 protection, in the Munxar area of Marsascala. The development, presented by Nicholas Cassar, will place three existing rooms set over an area 41 square metres to construct six stables, a 109 square metres building consisting of a garage and a vet office and a 44 square metre manure clamp. Nature Trust called on the authorities to consider issues related to vehicular access and waste management since pres- ently access to the area is re- stricted. An agri-tourism project pro- posed in the vicinity of the area has also led to a public outcry. The proposed complex would have consisted of eight guest rooms and a restaurant, a semi- basement wine bar, a health and fitness centre and a conference facility and a basement hosting an agro-food processing centre. The Marsaskala local council earler this year unanimously voted against the proposed 80,000 square metre agri-tour- ism village. The South-End Agro-Tourism project, proposed by contractor Rennie Scicluna, has been met with disfavour from the Plan- ning Authority in a screening letter. The PA has told the developer that his proposal is not in line with the Rural Policy and De- sign Guidance's policy because it falls within a Level 2 Area of Ecological Importance, unless it can be demonstrated that the development will not compro- mise the site scheduling charac- teristics. The entire land, currently used for fodder, will continue to be used for agricultural purpose but other crops instead of fodder would be cultivated. Two f loors underneath the agro-tourism lodging facility will be excavat- ed "instead of building scattered buildings... much more efficient and sustainable." maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2016 News Availability of morning-after pill is "a non-issue" CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 A new women's pro-life organisation was quickly set up to oppose the importation of the ECP, claiming that it could encour- age rape and abusive behaviour by men, and that it is linked with increased sexual promis- cuity. Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech also joined the fray, claiming that it formed part of "a throw- away culture in which humans are discarded as waste." A number of members of par- liament, including those who are general practitioners by profession, came out against the pill, prompting the Prime Minister to call for a joint com- mittee in parliamentary to dis- cuss the issue. In its editorial, the Malta Medical Journal argues that "wild accusations" are not enough to sway anyone, but any decision should be based on scientific evidence. "Blind statements that ECP can or possibly might cause implantation failure must be backed by evidence-based scientific literature – which (up to the time of writing) is non-existent." Although the World Health Organisation states that the ECP is "effective only in the first few days following in- tercourse, before the ovum is released from the ovary and before the sperm fertilizes the ovum" and, even though el- laOne is covered by a Europe- wide permit, Malta had never granted importers permission. Turns out, that the reason why goes back to 2006, after the bioethics committee - a consul- tative committee of scientists, priests and other political ap- pointees – blocked the impor- tation of Levonelle despite the go-ahead of pharmaceutical regulator, the Medicines Au- thority. The journal 's editorial also delves into the product labels of the ECP, some of which continue to state that one of the modes of action "may be" the prevention of implanta- tion – even though there is no such scientific evidence. "Clearly, citing a package in- sert which contains a myriad of biases that date back from 2006 and are thus based on data pri- or to 2005 is ludicrous given the plurality of robust stud- ies published in peer reviewed journals since," Grech writes. "This appears to be the stance blindly taken by several indi- viduals and organisations in this country, who repeatedly cite an inaccurate package in- sert while ignoring abundant and unbiased scientific re- search, along with recommen- dations by reliable bodies such as WHO and FIGO." Bringing the three-page edi- torial to an end, Grech con- cludes that the availability of the morning-after pill is "a non-issue." "This media furore has once again highlighted the local penchant for generating storms in teacups, wasting time, effort and resources on a non-issue. Reservations dependent on sci- ence should be settled by scien- tific evidence. "This particular topic has needlessly vexed individuals and groups into dogmatic pos- tures that are entirely without basis in fact – they are fighting a lost battle." Professor Victor Grech Munxar stables project irks Nature Trust Geological tests on gas pipeline underway in Delimara PAUL COCKS GEOLOGICAL tests and core sampling work were currently un- derway in Delimara to determine the best route for the gas pipeline between Malta and Italy, accord- ing to the de facto energy minister Konrad Mizzi. In a statement issued Tuesday, the minister within the Office of the Prime Minister said that the process was part of the second de- tailed study – co-financed by the European Union – on the seabed route, basic design and the docu- mentation necessary for the sub- mission of environmental permits required for the pipeline in Malta and Italy. "Nothing had ever been done before now on the gas pipeline project," he said. "To ensure our country is no longer dependant on oil and to do away with the use of heavy fuel oil in the generation of electricity, a gas floating stor- age unit will be used temporar- ily until the gas pipeline between Malta and Gela is completed." Mizzi said the government was committed to the pipeline being completed in the shortest time- frame possible in a bid to contin- ue offering peace of mind with re- gards to energy supply to Maltese families and businesses. The gas pipeline was declared by the EU to be a 'common inter- est project' –essential for both the EU and Malta – and had provided funds for the project. A 2015 study had concluded that the pipeline join the Italy network in Gela and that 155km of 22-inch pipe would be needed to be laid. The proposed development in the Munxar countryside includes six stables and a 109 square metres building consisting of a garage and a vet office