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James Debono
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority “may as well publish an advertisement in the press informing the public that anybody may do whatever he or she likes irrespective of the Development Planning Act”, a report by the authority’s ombudsman, Joe Falzon, says about MEPA, lambasting it for its impotency in the face of “flagrant and continuous disregard for the provisions of the law”.
The report, issued eight months ago, concerns the case of a Gozitan family whose members contracted Tinea Corporis, an acute skin infection which comes in ring-shaped red patches over the body.
According to medical certificates, the disease, contracted by the husband, daughter and niece in the Bugeja household, originated from a neighbouring rabbit farm.
The illegal rabbit farm was visited by a MEPA case officer back in 2004, but was not allowed access to the farm by the owner, fearing he might introduce disease to the 300 rabbits being reared.
The rooms were under an enforcement notice by MEPA.
Neighbours Gail and Patrick Bugeja protested that disease was being introduced into their home by the same rabbits, with medical certificates confirming cases of Tinea Corposis had likely originated from the rabbits.
“We live under siege from thousands of flies. The atrocious smell also attracts a large number of rodents,” the Bugejas told MEPA, who are especially concerned for their son who suffers from Downs’ syndrome and a weak immune system which might be easily susceptible to the highly infectious disease.
But despite the fact that three years had since passed, and no action taken, MEPA’s public relations officer insists that it is not MEPA policy to discuss timings for such enforcement actions.
MEPA had replied to the auditor’s report claiming that direct action involving livestock required the intervention of the director of veterinary services and that unless cooperation is forthcoming, MEPA would not be in a position to intervene.
But it turns out that in May 2004, Gozo veterinary services head Dr Frank Galea inspected the site, later writing to Gail Bugeja’s lawyer that “the rabbits seem happy and healthy”, and that the law does not give him any power to prevent the owner from rearing rabbits.
Happy rabbits, but the Bugeja family are now exasperated: eight months have passed since the auditor issued his report but no action has been taken to date.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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