I was very pleased at the joint press release issued by the united environmental NGOs urging MEP candidates to respect the Birds Directive and to refrain from impossible promised to the hunting lobby.
At AD, we have obviously never made such promises, but it seems that the other political parties are, in a campaign of confusion which aims to distract the electorate from the real issues, and extrapolates from the truth in what is a veritable exercise in misinformation.
This release further convinces me of the independence of our NGOs who, although necessarily courted by all parties and candidates, have still retained their visions and ideals, and have spoken out on what most matters to them and on what determines their role in civil society.
It also shows that early attempts by certain budding candidates to occupy the political space concerning civil society and the environment has failed miserably, mostly because environmental greenwash and posturing are not borne out of conviction, but solely of political expediency.
Whilst not wanting to ride the NGOs wave, I feel proud to declare that AD has always been credible and consistent with regards to environment, and especially the hunting issue. During my campaign, I have frequently met hunters who, although obviously diametrically opposed to our stand, respect us for our beliefs, and feel offended at the continuous attempts at duping them with false promises by other parties and candidates.
One must mention that the ban on spring hunting was one of the first and greatest victories for the majority of the population who believed in the European dream. It seems however that some candidates and particular parties want to go back on the done deal, or else purport to modify something that cannot be.
I trust that the electorate considers this fact in the polling booth, and realises who the most credible and consistent party on this matter was.
http://www.alternattiva2009.eu
Dear Dr. Cassola,
I must say that I am rather disappointed by your reaction, or rather lack of, regarding the proposed incinerator in Marsaxlokk. As you are well aware, the residents in the area are suffering by the pollution generated by the power plant, given that the filtering is still inadequate. The proposed power plant expansion will only make the situation worse. And as a final blow, an incinerator is proposed as well.
The hunting situation has been discussed ad nauseam, and I am sure that the hunters know what is the position if yourself and your party. I am very saddened that the votes of the hunters warrant your attention more than the massacre that is being carried out in the south of Malta. I feel that trying to get votes at all costs is only making A.D. loose focus on the important environmental issues that we are facing.
I sincerely hope that A.D. take some action regarding this matter.
Thank you
Alternattiva Demokratika is asking the government what measures it is taking for waste avoidance. It is only after these measures have been put into place, that we can then see whether there is any necessity at all for an incinerator for the remaining waste.
Thank you for your kind reply.
Unfortunately the government is ignoring most of the questions being raised and is going forward according to plan. You have to consider the following as well.
1. No one knows the current emission levels of the Dellimara power station.
2. The government is not releasing and data about the increase of serious illnesses in the area since the construction of the Dellimara power station.
3. In the meantime, the government is enhancing the Dellimara power station.
4. And furthermore, an incineration plant is to be constructed in the same location.
You are proposing yourself to represent Malta in the EU parliament, and I wish you best of luck; but can you tell me how I can vote for you when I see you devoting you energy to hunter issues, and at the same time ignoring what is going on to your fellow citizens? I am very sorry, but asking questions is not good enough for me. Frankly, my life and that of my dears outweighs that of birds.
Personally, and I stress this is a personal observation, I am feeling AD as being too complaisant with the government when it comes to serious issues. You have great experience in the EU corridors and surely you have your contacts and network that can be used to put pressure on the government, but this is not being done. I sincerely hope that I am not going to see a marriage between the two parties in four years….
Of course everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
However, I can safely say that Alternattiva Demokratika has built for itself a consistent and credible reputation for its work regarding the rights of citizens, quality of air, and enforcement of laws in favour of the citizen.
As regards possible incineration, Alternattiva Demokratika expects from the government first of all a detailed study on what measures the government is planning on waste avoidance.
Without this first step it is not acceptable to discuss incineration.
I thank you for your answer, but frankly I do not agree with this attitude, for a number of reasons:
1. Friends of the earth, an organization that I think that you are familiar with, classified themselves as the following in their Incineration and Health issues Briefing “FoE primarily campaigns against incineration because burning materials is a waste of valuable resources. However we also recognise that there are valid concerns about the impacts on health. We are especially concerned when incinerators are proposed in areas where levels of pollution are already high.” – sounds familiar ? The fact that the government is proposing incineration should be enough for AD to ring all the alarm bells, but unfortunately this is not happening.
2. The government has already issued a report where the location of the incinerator is proposed. A public meeting was carried out in Marsaxlokk where the minister explained the reasons why the location was preferred. Members of the PN and PL attended the meeting and a number of serious issues were discussed. Unfortunately, AD not only failed to comment on the original location selection document, but did not even attend this meeting.
I am very aware of the battles carried out in the past by AD, and as a Maltese citizen I am very grateful for the results obtained; but how can I have faith in this party when it is totally ignoring the south of Malta? We all know that AD gets the bulk of its votes from the central areas, so should it only focus on the quality of air in the northern region of the island? What is being proposed is well documented, but I did not hear or read of a single reaction from your party. I therefore urge you to find some time to get hold of the documents that were released, assert the situation in the Marsaxlokk area and verify that the area cannot be loaded with more hazardous plants.
Waiting for more details from the government will reduce the possibility to revert from decisions. Once the people who will make money at the cost of our health are selected, and contracts are signed there is no turning back.
Thank you