Cigarette giant Philip Morris has received a subsidy of 268,000 euros from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). MPs are surprised: “You shouldn’t want this.” The subsidy was intended to make the factory in Bergen op Zoom more environmentally friendly, RTL Z discovered.
Philip Morris makes cigarettes and parts for e-cigarettes in Bergen op Zoom. The company made use of the so-called VEKI scheme. That leaves the Netherlands Enterprise Agency to know about RTL Z. This organization provides the subsidy on behalf of the ministry.
Philip Morris simply met the conditions, and so the grant was awarded. Nevertheless, the company refunded the subsidy. The measures for which a subsidy was requested were not implemented after all.
‘Strict requirements’
MPs believe that the tobacco industry should not receive subsidies anyway. Member of Parliament Suzanne Kröger of GroenLinks believes that strict requirements should apply to these types of companies, which they must pay themselves.
If this makes the product more expensive, she thinks that is a good thing. “It’s crazy that we put money for sustainability in factories we want to get rid of.”
Don’t subsidize deadly industry
CDA MP Anne Kuik agrees with her. “I am surprised that this is possible. You should not want this.”
Philip Morris emphasizes that it is also working on sustainability without the subsidy. The parent company has allocated 15.5 million euros to make the factory CO2 neutral. As a result, it should no longer contribute to climate change within three years.