Local council, environmental lobbyists object against Siggiewi chicken farm

A week before the MEPA Board is due to discuss the fate of the controversial chicken farm in Tad-Dikkiena, limits of Siggiewi, the Siggiewi local council and environmental NGOs have joined forces in resisting the proposed development.

In March,  the Siggiewi local council filed a prohbitory injunction against MEPA to keep it from processing and deciding over an application for the development of a poultry farm – which request was accepted by the court.

In a fresh appeal to the environmental and planning authority, Siggiewi mayor Karol Aquilina and environmental lobbyists Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers’ Association and Friends of the Earth Malta have insisted that the permt should not be issued.

The permit earmarks the construction of a chicken farm that would feature four large sheds and other buildings.

Siggiewi mayor Karol Aquilina explained that the proposed chicken farm would have an adverse effect on the area, and that it risk contaminating the nearby water particularly the area surrounding Wied il-Lewza. 

Addressing a press conference, the Siggiewi mayor outlined the council’s objections to the project, chiefly the odours, the negative visual impact and the risk of water contamination at the nearby Wied il-Lewza.

Echoing Aquilina’s opposition to the project, Dar tal-Providenza Director Fr Martin Micallef, said the chicken farm would produce an adverse effect on its residents and workers.

The plans for the farm are to be discussed by the Mepa Board on Thursday.