Watch: MEP Hopeful Explains How Malta Should Combat Flight Price Impact Of EU Climate Change Rules
There is growing concern that EU climate change rules will mean more expensive flights, imports and exports for Maltese citizens and businesses.
However, new PL MEP candidate Steve Ellul believes that the solution isn’t to roll back these rules per se, but to ensure they are flexible enough for Malta.
“There is no Planet B, and EU member states are reaching these agreements because we want to limit global warming and ensure a liveable globe for our children and ourselves,” Ellul said in an interview with Lovin Malta.
“Malta is a small country that is cut off from the European mainland. We want to reach these climate change targets too, and since we’re small and nimble, we can become carbon neutral before the others, and Gozo even earlier than Malta.”
“However, because we are so small and detached from the European mainland we need EU rules that are flexible, and that incentivise our businesses rather than punishing them.”
Ellul warned that Maltese businesses are already competing in an uneven playing field. For example, he said that the scarcity of Maltese land means farmers must pay some ten times more per tomna of agricultural land than their French counterparts.
“However, the EU only allows Malta to give its farmers the same help as the French farmers receive. It’s not fair. As a small country, the EU institutions need to give us a chance to reach the same green economy goals through different incentives that adapt to our businesses.”
He also noted that Maltese factories have to import all their raw materials and export all their finished products, a double cost that many European counterparts don’t have to deal with.
And in terms of proposed taxation on aviation fuel, Ellul said it is “unfair” on Maltese citizens, who have no other options but to catch a flight to travel to another European destination.
He recounted how Malta had successfully negotiated three EU derogations during the recent energy crisis, including one on a proposal for member states to impose mandatory reductions in electricity consumption.
“We only have six MEPs and we need a strong voice when these directives and rules are issued, to ensure that we adhere to the goals of the directives while ensuring they don’t impact its negatively. When the country works towards a common goal, we achieve results. This also applies to flights and sea transport… it’s a point of principle for me.”
“We are Europeans and must get there but at our pace and with our methods.”
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