Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/744537
27 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2016 Opinion does not apply at all to the aforementioned 18 illegal structures demolished by the PA last Thursday. So apart from the immediate problem common to all these developments – the lack of proper authorisation – the illegal 'Arka ta' Noe' zoo also breaches an official government policy to protect and preserve arable land for agricultural purposes. Not that illegalities should really be computed this way... but technically, the zoo violates far more regulations that the coastal 'kmamar' of Delimara. And apart from the land-use itself, there is also the small matter of the importation and housing of exotic (sometimes endangered) animals, to maximise the profits of a commercial enterprise that doesn't meet even the most basic of legal requirements. These requirements are specified in a legal notice entitled 'The Keeping of Wild Animals in Zoos Regulations', 2003. I quote: "Every zoo shall have a licence within four years after the entry into force of these regulations [i.e., 2007] or, in the case of new zoos, before they are open to the public." Got that, folks? 'Every zoo' must have a licence to operate... except, naturally, for all the zoos which don't have a licence, and never actually bothered applying for one. Those can simply operate without a licence for as long as it takes to get their illegal zoo sanctioned. And if any kids get mauled by tigers in the meantime... well, it would be their parents' fault, for taking them to an unlicensed, illegal zoo in the first place. Naturally, the authorities which permitted this shocking state of affairs to persist will bear no responsibility whatsoever. Oh, and in case you think I'm making all this up... here is what the law really says: "If the zoo is not licensed in accordance with these regulations, or the licensing conditions are not met, the zoo or part thereof – (a) shall be closed to the public by the Veterinary Services; and/or (b) shall comply with appropriate requirements imposed by the Veterinary Services to ensure that the licensing conditions are met." See? They think of everything... including a little clause that gives the authorities full discretion to make exceptions at will. But here is the interesting part: "Should these requirements not be complied with within an appropriate period to be determined within one year, the Veterinary Services shall withdraw or modify the licence and close the zoo or part thereof." How long has the deliberation period been going on in the case of the illegal Siggiewi zoo? At least one year eight months. That's considerably longer than what the law deems appropriate. So why has this zoo not been closed, as required in no uncertain terms by Subsidiary Legislation 439.08? Do I even need to answer the question? Because the law is not applied equally to everyone. The Planning Authority simply picks and chooses which of its own rules and regulations to apply, at its own discretion. And there you have it. Malta's entire planning problem, embodied in one simple observation. The larger and more complicated the illegality, the likelier you are to actually get away with it... and, much more beside, to also profit obscenely from the illegal operation. It really is a jungle out there... €65,000,000 3.75% Unsecured Bonds 2026 Premier Capital p.l.c. (the "Company") is oering to the public €65 million Unsecured Bonds due 2026 at the rate of 3.75% of a nominal value of €100 per Bond at par. For more information one should refer to the Prospectus dated 21 October 2016, copies of which, together with application forms are available during o†ce hours from Authorised Financial Intermediaries listed on the Company's website. Applications for the Bonds may be made for a minimum of €2,000. Subscriptions open on Monday 14 November 2016 and close on Wednesday 16 November 2016, or earlier if fully subscribed. Application has been made for the Bonds to be listed on the O†cial List of the Malta Stock Exchange. The value of investments can rise or fall and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Prospective investors are urged to consult an independent Authorised Financial Intermediary for advice prior to investing in the Bonds. Premier Capital p.l.c. Nineteen Twenty Three, Valletta Road, Marsa MRS 3000, Malta. T 00356 2568 1888 E info@premiercapital.com.mt www.premiercapital.com.mt Sponsor Manager & Registrar Premier Capital p.l.c. is a division of Hili Ventures Ltd.