Squatters included in government’s dairy farm project

Plans for the relocation of 12 dairy farms to San Niklaw have been pending since 2007, but an Environment Impact Study assessing the ramifications of the project was only published by The Malta Environment and Planning Authority earlier this week.

The project proposes the relocation of 12 dairy farms presently located in historical and residential areas of San Niklaw and the construction of a waste conversion facility which will produce electricity from manure.

The two squatters which are to be relocated to Siggiewi are presently occupying a stretch of land by Bieb is-Sultan next to the Zabbar and Birgu Bastions.

Two other farms will be relocated from Fort San Anard in Zabbar and St Peter's Battery. The latter has to make way for the Smart City project.

The other farms set to be relocated to Siggiewi are located in the middle of residential towns like Bormla, Fgura, Lija, Mosta, Msida and Zabbar.

These include an 80-cow farm which lies immediately next to a school in Cospicua, while another currently hosting 47 cows is found next to another school in Santa Venera.

When the first plans for the project were announced in 2007, the Ministry for Rural Affairs claimed that although illegal, the two squatters had been "recognised" by the Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture.

One of the aims of the project is to relocate dairy cattle farms located within urban areas and sites of historical importance.

"This will free historical fortifications and residential areas from the inconveniences caused by these farms," the newly published EIS states.

The project first proposed in 2007 consists of the development of 12 dairy cattle farms and a centralised waste digester and biogas plant, which will produce energy from manure. 

The most detrimental effect of the project will be the loss of 29,000 square meters of agricultural land, which will be dedicated to animal husbandry.

10 of the proposed dairy farms are proposed to be developed on land leased by the government to Buxom Poultry Limited, currently used as a poultry breeding and slaughter complex.

The other farms will be located on non-irrigated agricultural land.

In the past, objections were raised by Superintendence for Cultural Heritage due to its impact on the historical airfield. The project was subsequently redesigned to mitigate the impact on historical features on the site.

The EIS states describes the Qrendi airfield as "the last World War II aerodrome, which still stands a chance of being preserved," since the other airfields were incorporated into the modern airport or developed into industrial estates or parks.

The Airfield ceased flying operations in 1943 and was eventually transformed into a bomb depot. After the airfield was surrendered to the Maltese government during the British Forces final rundown it was divided into agricultural, bovine and poultry breeding units and leased as government tenements for agricultural uses.

According to the EIS, some of the Nissan huts in the footprint of the proposed development will be dismantled and erected in another location.

However, according to the EIA, the original structure of the whole airport will still be lost.

The conglomeration of over 15 dairy units in one area would facilitate monitoring from the Veterinary Services Division.

The biogas plant will generate 1,731MWh/yearly, which is 5.5 times the amount required by the farms, and the excess energy will be put into the national grid.

Second Class water will be generated as a by-product of the plant and will be used as irrigation water by the surrounding fields.