Updated | Government denies use of EU funds to uproot trees in Gozo

The Parliamentary Secretariat for EU funds denied that EU funds are being used to uproot trees in the il-Tokk square in Rabat, Gozo.

“The uprooting of trees that Flimkien ghall-Ambjent Ahjar pointed out do not form part of the EU-financed restoration project in the same square,” the secretariat said.

“The project and the EU funds that have been allocated to it are subject to MEPA permission,” the secretariat said. “Indeed, we are informed that they rejected this permission and that the local council is appealing this decision.”

“We are committed to make sure that no EU-funded projects will have a negative impact on the environment.”  

Earlier, environmental NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar condemned the destruction of trees in Gozo and called for immediate suspension of EU funded projects which are leading to the destruction of trees.

FAA denounced the fact that in contrast to world-wide tree-planting initiatives, a number of local councils in Gozo are reversing all talk of Eco-Gozo in destroying its urban trees. 

Describing the lack of appreciation of trees’ value as “incredible,” FAA explained that leaves remove various dust pollutants from the air and absorb carbon from Gozo’s busy and polluted streets.

“While Central Government in Malta is improving its treatment of trees, Gozitan councils are betraying their residents’ interests and health with this destruction of trees; it is shameful that MEPA should have granted permits for these damaging projects which undermine the quality of life that it is supposed to protect.”

The NGO noted that Victoria Local Council has been granted a permit to uproot all the trees that draw tourists to it-Tokk and provide shade and reduce pollution in the highly-polluted area.

“Replacement of mature trees by potted shrubs is no compensation, as trees cannot grow and function fully in pots – indeed the minimum soil requirement for small trees is 17cubic metres while the average tree planter volume is 1cubic metre,” FAA said.

It added that the reason that EU funds are being used to uproot trees is “supposedly” to discover archaeological remains beneath the square, however it is intended to re-seal the square after excavations.

“Therefore FAA asks, are the trees being removed to make way for more cafes as happened elsewhere in Gozo?”

Another project highlighted by FAA is the one by the Nadur Local Council which has just started uprooting all the trees that embellished its squares “in a so-called ‘embellishment plan’, claiming that the trees were damaging house drains.”

However, FFA said, root damage is no excuse as it can be prevented by root-guards in use all over Europe.

“It is being claimed that the Nadur trees are being immediately replanted. In order to survive replanting, trees have to specially prepared for months, and not roughly pulled out of the ground with a crane as the Nadur trees were. Furthermore the claim that the trees are being replanted immediately is belied by the fact that the uprooted trees are presently languishing in the sun in a builders’ yard.”

 FAA condemned the fact that both these EU projects contravene basic EU requirements on sustainability, adding “projects should not be planned for the sole benefit of road contractors – better planning would ensure that residents’ health comes first.  FAA calls for the immediate suspension of this project in order to ensure that the remaining trees in Nadur ‘s squares are saved.”