The grain silo in the Grand Harbour is old and can easily be contaminated, The Committee for Environment and Development Planning heard during a session.
A cement factory was recently given the go-ahead to begin operations very close to the terminal itself. Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar Coordinator Astrid Vella said that even traces of cement in the grain could be detrimental to the health of citizens.
Mrs Vella mentioned that even one of the experts hired by the developers admitted that there was no guarantee that the grain would not be contaminated.
MEPA CEO Johann Buttigieg, who was present, argued that the cement factory has the latest technology and is completely enclosed, thus making it extremely safe. He also said that the grain silo is quite old and given all the activity around, including another cement factory 400 meters away, the grain could be contaminated from a number of things. He also said that when ships come to unload grain, the conveyor belts are exposed, and pigeons can contaminate the area.
Mrs Vella indicated that the silo provides 70 per cent of the grain used for bread made around Malta, resulting in 100,000 loaves of bread being produced daily. She argued that regardless of the technology available in the cement factory, trace elements could still get through, citing documents that argue the same.
It was also argued that while the technology used by the cement factory was state of the art, as time goes on, the cement factory will age, as had the grain silo, thus possibly creating a hazard in the future.
PL MP Godfrey Farrugia who was filling in for one of the Committee members, said that the health authorities must be asked to look into this and Chairman of the Committee Marlene Farrugia approved, stating that a letter will be sent to the Health Council to further delve into the issue.
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