Staff shortages hampering air quality monitoring

The shortage of environmental personnel is hampering the country's efforts to ensure effective air quality monitoring.

During a recent visit, senior European Environment Agency officials took note of chronic staff limitations in the environmental arm of Malta Environment and Planning Authority, which is presently responsible for monitoring air quality.

Various sources confirmed that the need for capacity building in the air quality sector have been evident for many years but if these staff shortages are not addressed, the present government's ambitious plans to improve air quality monitoring may not take off.

In comments to the media, Minister for the Environment Leo Brincat insisted that late or non-submission of data or the submission of partial results are not on.

He said that without addressing such weaknesses it would be difficult to implement a robust air quality programme and action plan.

According to Minister Brincat, enhancing air quality standards and reporting lines would be a top priority of the new environmental and resource authority.

But the new authority will only come in place after the announced split between MEPA's environmental and planning arms and the union of the resources authority with what used to be MEPA's Environment Protection Directorate.

On Thursday, Brincat announced that the government will be drawing up and implementing a plan of action against air pollution.

This issue was discussed in talks with Hans Emiel Aloysius Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency and Barbara Clark, head of the European Environment Information and Observation Network.

The plan will be drafted as soon as the Environment and Resources Authority is set up.