Friends of the Earth Malta welcomes the recent decision by the Maltese Government to avail itself of an opt-out clause on growing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Malta. This is a positive step forward which reflects the Government’s previous votes on GMOs at EU level. Outright rejection of genetically modified (GM) crops snowballed across Europe,...
The European Commission yesterday announced its plan for the reform of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement Mechanism (ISDS), the clause allowing foreign investors the right to sue governments included in the ongoing TTIP negotiations between the European Union and the United States. [1] The new Investment Court System would replace the ISDS mechanism in all on-going...
Friends of the Earth Malta together with The Ramblers’ Association and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar endorse the declarations of Mr David Pace, the Commissioner of the Environment, Mr Stephen Farrugia and Mr Christopher Falzon, both former MEPA Chairmen, that “the proposed amendments to environment and planning law are a major step backward” in development planning, heritage...
By way of reply to the recent announcement by the Prime Minister on the Zonqor project, Friends of the Earth Malta (FoE Malta) reiterates its stand against any development on ODZ land and the use of 18,000m2 of such land for development in Zonqor. FoE Malta notes however the improvement from the original plans which...
Friends of the Earth Malta together with Why Not? and Koperattiva Kummerc Ġust are jointly organizing a gathering at Żonqor Point on the 30th of August. The aim of the event is to get Maltese people closer to nature, and to enjoy Żonqor Point in its natural state. In light of the recent announcement regarding...
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) poses a threat to democratic decision-making, requiring locally and nationally elected authorities to give priority to freedom of trade over the public interest. Decisions about local services, investment and jobs, and even food safety and environmental protection will be regulated by terms secretly being established during current TTIP...
Commenting on the Pope’s Encyclical on climate change published today (Thursday, 18 June 2015), Friends of the Earth Malta’s Martin Galea De Giovanni said: “The Pope has shown impressive and inspiring leadership where many elected leaders have failed. He is both a friend of the earth and of the millions of people in poorer, vulnerable...
Friends of the Earth Malta today announced the launch of the photographic competition ‘FOODVISION’. This competition forms part of the international campaign ‘SUPPLY CHA!NGE – Make Supermarkets Fair’ as part of the European Year for Development 2015. SUPPLY CHA!NGE aims to inform EU citizens on issues concerning the production process of supermarket store-brands, and their...
Scientists say European nature is in peril, as over 100,000 citizens call on the EU to uphold nature laws A comprehensive survey of European nature published by scientists today shows wildlife and habitats in peril across Europe. [1] The research comes as the European Commission threatens to weaken vital nature laws, the Birds and Habitats...
The public’s right to experience nature is under threat from a move by the European Commission to review some of the EU’s most successful nature laws (the Birds and Habitats Directives). Friends of the Earth Malta and Birdlife Malta together with over 100 organisations across Europe have today launched a campaign to show the overwhelming...
