The objectors of the proposed mushroom factory in Gozo fear that the developer may have ulterior motives, particularly since it is estimated that only about 10 per cent of the mushrooms would be sold in Gozo, even if most of the chicken manure and hay required for the production process would have to be brought over from Malta.
A sizeable crowd of Gozitans and expatriates living in Gozo, who are actively objecting against the project, participated in a peaceful protest yesterday afternoon, close to the 15,000-square metre site earmarked for the factory to be built, just behind Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village in Gharb.
The protest was led by Gharb mayor David Apap, who spoke on behalf of the residents of Gharb and San Lawrenz, the tenants of the crafts village, the employees and operator of Kempinski San
Lawrenz Hotel (which the factory would also be very close to), and other leisure and hospitality operators in the area.
The objectors’ main concern is the fact that the site earmarked for the construction of the factory lies in an outside development zones (ODZ) area, and that foul smells would emanate from the factory due to the substantial amount of chicken manure that would be required to make the mushroom substrate.
As the protestors held posters that read “No to Gharbitrary planning proposals”, “Id-demel zommuh il-boghod mid-djar taghna” (keep the manure away from our homes) and “Teqirdux l-gholja Ta’ Dbiegi” (don’t destroy Ta’ Dbiegi hill), the Gharb mayor explained that the fact that the site lies less than 183 metres away from a residential area breaches regulations of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa).
According to the developers’ reports, about 22 tonnes of chicken manure would be required on a weekly basis.
Gozitan farms only produce 22,000 kilograms per year, so the rest of the factory’s requirements - 1.2 million kilograms - would have to be transported from Malta. The same applies for the 44 tonnes of hay that would be required weekly.
While this will cause pollution and traffic problems, the chicken manure will also attract flies and other insects to the residential area.
Another concern is the fact that the factory would destroy the countryside, also having an impact on tourism in the area.
Moreover, since the site lies in an ODZ area, should MEPA give the project the green light, a precedent would be created, providing for the possibility of other construction projects in the area.
NGOs Ghaqda Residenti ta’ l-Gharb, Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers’ Association, Moviment Graffitti, Wirt Ghawdex and the Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, as well as Labour MP Justyne Caruana participated in the protest, along with the Gharb and San Lawrenz local councils.
