WRITTEN QUESTION E-0285/04 by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Landfill on Malta.
Date: 2004-02-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Malta, accession to the European Union, application of EU law, environmental impact, environmental law, environmental protection, impact study, waste management

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/353

(2004/C 84 E/0410)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0285/04

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: Landfill on Malta

The Maltese Government intend to establish a new temporary landfill very close to the neolithic temple
complex of Mnajdra, which is designated as a Unesco heritage site.

According to a report, commissioned by Friends of the Earth Malta, the site selection process took six days
(from 3 to 9 June 2003) without any representation from the Museums Department.

The Maltese Minister remarked that an EIA on the project could be completed in three to four months,
establishing a precedent in the field of EIAs in Malta, and giving a new definition to the term ‘multi-
seasonal’. The company SLR Consulting accepted to undertake the EIA within this timeframe.

The Hydrological Risk Assessment presented by SLR uses a model to establish the risk of contaminants
finding their way out of the sealing lining. The model erroneously assumes a situation where the ‘lining
always operates as designed’.

Regarding air quality, there are strong contradictions: SLR state that ‘no data are available to assess the
potential for these deposition rates of gas to impact on stone’ but somehow still go on to conclude that
‘the potential for impact on the archaeological features including the World Heritage Sites and Misqa tanks
will be negligible’.

Does the European Commission know that the proposal contradicts policy with regard to siting of
landfills?

Does the Commission know that the interim landfill is not designed for hazardous waste?

What does the Commission intend doing to stop the Maltese authorities from enacting their plans for this
landfill sited near the Unesco World Heritage sites?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2004)

In the accession negotiations, Malta gave its commitment to meet the provisions of the Landfill Directive (1)
from 1 May 2004 onwards.

The Maltese Government has informed the Commission that the temporary landfill will comply with the
provisions of the Landfill Directive, and that the environment impact assessment would also be made in
conformity with the EU legislation. While the decision of where to locate the landfill remains with the
national authorities, the Maltese authorities are aware that it must meet the requirements of the Landfill
Directive, in particular those concerning the protection of nature and cultural heritage given in Annex I of
the Directive. The Maltese Government has also informed the Commission that the temporary landfill will
only be used for non-hazardous household waste.

The Commission will be monitoring Malta’s progress with the transposition and implementation of the
Landfill Directive and the commitments given during negotiations. Once Malta becomes a Member State
then the Commission will ensure compliance with this Directive in the same way as it does for all other
Member States.

(1) Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste, OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.