Żminijietna calls for the protection of Wied Moqbol

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left calls upon MEPA Appeals Board to revoke the permit issued in 2014 for the development of a quarry in Wied Moqbol. MEPA should respect it's own planning regulations.

"The area indicated is of agricultural value and this is clearly specified by MEPA in it's policies, with reference to the Malta South Local Plan. Also the surrounding area of Wied Moqbol is designated as a Special Area of Conservation of International Importance under the Natura 2000 programme, due to the importance of the species as well as archaeological remains found there".

Agro-Tourism policy requires sustainability - Żminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left said that “Malta's new Agro-Tourism policies could have given more importance to sustainability”.

"Sustainable development requires holistic policies which have long-term standing. In this regard, instead of giving more leeway for development in ODZ areas, it would have been better if the approved policy would have given more focus on rehabilitation of existing buildings and areas, and by giving priority to sustainable projects such as those which focus on permaculture, organic methods, renewable energy, efficient energy use, and similar initiatives". 

Press Release 28/9/14

March Against Monsanto - Żminijietna participates

Żminijietna said that “Monsanto represents the GMO industry which should be opposed for various reasons. Żminijietna will be participating in the March Against Monsanto on Saturday 31st May in Valletta, together with other NGOs.
 
Żminijietna said: "GMO corporations are carrying out irreversible processes on agriculture. Besides, cross-contamination from one GMO field to another can take place. These corporations have not managed to prove that there is no long-term damage on humans and the ecology".
 
"The GMO industry is increasing the exploitation of farmers, by making them fully dependent on material required for GMO production in the process. This comes at the expense of food diversity and autonomy of farmers on the land in which they work. Class inequality increases through GMO production".
 
"Through GMO production, agricultural land is used for profit maximisation of a few transnational corporations. Such corporations fuel the capitalist system and neo-liberal policies which are resulting in global inequalities and hunger".
 
"Żminijietna joins leftist, green and progressive forces in the call for an immediate halt to the TTIP agreement, an agreement that will give more power to Multinational Companies, such as Monsanto. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the USA should be subject to an impact study, to a democratic discussion in the European Parliament and within civil society, and to full transparency before proceeding. It should also be subject to a referendum
 

 Facebook event page: 

https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonsantoMalta?fref=ts

 Press Release 30-5-2014

GMOs - European Commission is ignoring European citizens

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left criticized the position taken recently by EU Commissioner, Dr Tonio Borg, in giving the green light for the cultivation of GMO crops (TC 1507 corn from the US firm DuPont Pioneer) in Europe. The Commission had already approved TC1507 for import in November 2005 and five months later approved it for human consumption. This last approval will allow for its cultivation, despite the ecological risks it entails, which can be avoided through sustainable methods of agriculture”.

“This position literally ignored all those against this proposal, which included the European Parliament, the majority of European Member States (19 in all), environmental, social and progressive movements and 80% of citizens who do not want GMOs in Europe - (ref http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf”.

“We also welcome the vote against by Malta, together with Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia”. 

Żminijietna – Voice of the Left appeals upon the Maltese Government and Maltese MEPs to further campaign for a Social and Ecological Europe – Free from GMOs.  


Press Release 14-3-14