Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The Flemish government faces a daily fine of 1,000 euros for failing to improve water quality as mandated by the court due to ineffective manure policies, criticized by environmental groups for insufficient action despite repeated legal rulings.
The Flemish government has been convicted again for its failed manure policy. This time under penalty of a fine of 1,000 euros per day. This was reported by environmental organisations Bond Beter Leefmilieu, Dryade, Greenpeace, Natuurpunt and WWF in a press release on Friday.
What prompted environmental organizations to take legal action?
The environmental organizations had summoned the Flemish government in the autumn of 2022. The judge stated that the government was not taking sufficient measures to improve water quality and gave the Flemish government six months to take stricter and additional measures. However, this did not happen, so the environmental associations went to court again.
The judge again ruled in favour of the environmental movements on Friday and this time imposed a penalty of 1,000 euros per day.
“Sadly, environmental associations have to go to court again and again to remind the government of its legislation,” says Mattias Bruynooghe of Natuurpunt. “It is of course not our aim to get the right from the court, but we hope that Flemish policymakers will now seize the opportunity to implement an effective policy.”
“The Flemish negotiators must use this verdict to change course in agricultural policy. They must provide vision and the necessary resources to guide farmers towards an agricultural model that pays and is in balance with nature,” says Joeri Thijs of Greenpeace.
What are environmental groups urging the Flemish government to do?
The environmental movement urges the next Flemish government to work on a further reduction of livestock, reduction of artificial fertilizers, guidance of farmers to soil-based livestock farming and agroecological techniques, and stricter enforcement. “If that does not happen, then the whole society will pay for it”, it sounds.
How does the outgoing Minister of Environment respond to the ruling?
Outgoing Flemish Minister of Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA) acknowledges that water quality in Flanders is “a major challenge”. “I have been warning about this for several years but have regularly encountered resistance. Further action will have to follow within the next government. No one can deny that now.”
The spokesperson for outgoing Flemish Minister of Agriculture Jo Brouns (CD&V) points out in turn that the agricultural and nature organisations have had an agreement on an update of the Manure Action Plan for more than a year. The next government must therefore implement that agreement as soon as possible, so that it can come into effect from 1 January 2025.
