Environmental group Mobilization for the Environment (MOB) is concerned about the arrival of dairy giant Fage in Hoogeveen. The Greek company wants to build a large factory on the Riegmeer business park to produce yoghurt. This requires 2.5 million liters of water per day. Something that the environmental organization does not like.
According to the group, an enormous amount of waste water is released and it is questionable whether this can be properly collected. “But that is not our only point. Water companies and the RIVM are already warning that there will no longer be enough drinking water in 2030. With the arrival of such a large consumer, you will of course not solve that problem,” said chairman Johan Vollenbroek.
The province of Drenthe wants to grant a permit for the arrival of the factory. Until May 18, people can let us know what they think of the plans. The environmental organization has already done so. The group relies on European directives for water quality. By 2027, all surface and groundwater in Europe must be of good quality.
“The Netherlands dangles at the very bottom of the list of all EU member states,” Vollenbroek continues. One percent of our waters is currently of sufficient quality, according to research by Wageningen University. “So a big fail. Significant steps still have to be taken in the coming years. We have to ask ourselves whether the arrival of these types of companies in the Netherlands will contribute to achieving those goals.”
He himself thinks that we are heading for a second nitrogen dossier. “We will soon be stuck. Just like with nitrogen, it may soon be with water that many permits cannot be granted.” Nature protection watch Meppel also gives their opinion on the plans for the factory. Fage has been asked for comment. The company does not want to comment until the permit is complete.
A spokesperson for drinking water company WMD says that the supply of drinking water in Drenthe will not be jeopardized by the arrival of the dessert manufacturer. “Calculations have been made for this. There is sufficient capacity in that area. However, they are not allowed to use more than is allowed in the agreements. The maximum is 2,500 cubic meters.” Converted to a maximum of 2.5 million liters per day. The company has to pay the standard prices for water. The WMD also has no obligation to deliver to Fage.
The amount of wastewater coming from Fage’s factory is too much for the municipality’s sewage system. That is why an eight-kilometre pressure pipeline is being built that will be connected to the sewage treatment plant in Echten. The core of Hollandscheveld and cheese producer DOC Kaas will also use the pressure pipe.
A letter from the town hall in Bettembourg shows that a maximum of 2.5 million liters of water per day would also be used at the location. It can be read that the consumption corresponds to a city of 23,000 inhabitants. After four years of trying, Fage finally pulled the plug on the project due to the delays and objections.
So now the sights are focused on Hoogeveen. The reactions to the permit will be reviewed in the near future and it will then become clear whether the permit will be definitively granted. The factory will occupy an area of fifteen hectares and the construction will cost around 150 million euros. On the other hand, it should create 250 jobs. Initially, the factory was supposed to open next year. The company’s annual report states that it is now aiming for 2026. The permit must then still be definitively granted. Why the branch will open later is not stated.