Demir points out that local authorities can already make exempted activities, which do not require a permit or notification from Flanders, still require notification or even require a permit. But many municipalities ignore this regulation, which means that their municipal bye-laws are often illegal, according to the N-VA minister.
With her draft decree she wants a solution to this, but “in no way tolerate that a more lax local nature policy is the end result”. That is why Zuhal Demir wants to start a consultation with the VVSG to introduce stricter regulations for nature, for all local authorities throughout Flanders.
“For those who would doubt it: I will continue to watch over nature conservation in Flanders. I note that there used to be great reluctance among local authorities to apply stricter rules to protect nature. Now that they are changing their guns, grab “I like that opportunity. Because everyone can be green in words, but in deeds it is often much less. Wim Dries proves that all too often as mayor in Genk, which under his policy became one of the largest deforestation groups in Flanders,” says Demir.