Seeds of imported indigenous plants sent out to 180,000 households are wrongly labelled “endemic” and, according to biodiversity specialist Alfred Baldacchino, risk contaminating the local gene pool.
Ambjent Malta, the government agency coordinating the project, has admitted to a “misprint” in the Maltese version.
However, it said the impact of the imported seeds on the local population of these wild plants would be “negligible”.
In April, Environment Minister Aaron Farrugia said households would receive a mix of wildflower seeds and information on how to care for them in a bid to help conserve pollinators.
The seeds originate from four native wildflower species: Sweet Alyssum (Buttuniera), Red Corn Poppy (Pepprin Aħmar), Chamomile (Kamomilla) and Borage (Fidloqqom).
Kalkara buffer earmarked for 10-villa development project
maltatoday.com.mt - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from maltatoday.com.mt Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Marsascala residents want sham contest to stop
timesofmalta.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofmalta.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.