GRTU has once again requested an extension to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority in respect to a consultation document issued late last year in relation to Environmental Permitting and General Binding Rules which will formally effect all major sectors of GRTU.
The request was granted and the extension is now until 7th May 2012. GRTU is insisting that susbtantial amounts of meetings have to be held with the presence of MEPA to explain to the small and medium sized enterprises the reason behind these new environmental permits and how they will effect the business community. In a meeting held with MEPA officials, Micheal Sant and Ms Rachel Decelis a list of GRTU sectors was submitted so that MEPA would indicate which of these sectors are likely to be involved.
After receiving feedback from MEPA it has transpired that a large majority of these sectors would be involved and as such a Schedule of Meetings is being scheduled and presented to MEPA by 9th March 2012. MEPA officials will be present for these individual sectorial meetings and GRTU members will be advised of the schedule shortly.
Environmental Permitting is a part of corporate social responsability, but GRTU on behalf of its members has to make sure that in the process of this revamped permitting system, SMEs do not bear the brunt of bureaucracy or additional expenses that might make their businesses no longer sustainable.