News item | 23-05-2023 | 4:00 pm
Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure and Water Management) has officially held chemical group 3M liable for the PFAS damage caused by the factory in the Western Scheldt in Zeeland. The State Attorney has informed the company by means of a letter.
Minister Harbers: “There is too much PFAS in the Western Scheldt. This leads to concerns among local residents, but also to financial damage for fishermen and Rijkswaterstaat, for example. I believe that the polluters should pay, not the users and administrators. Holding 3M liable is in line with that starting point.”
Inventory damage
The minister already announced last year that Rijkswaterstaat was going to make an inventory of the damage suffered. This concerns, for example, costs for extra monitoring and costs for the removal of contaminated sludge. In February it was announced that the province of Zeeland was opening a counter where Zeeland entrepreneurs, such as fishermen or camping owners, could report their losses.
Although it is now largely clear in which areas damage has been suffered, it is now important to find out for which part of the PFAS pollution 3M is responsible. Based on that research, an amount can be set for the damage to the ecosystem and the economic damage of Rijkswaterstaat and third parties.
Conversation
Earlier, 3M invited the Dutch ministry for an interview. Minister Harbers has accepted this invitation and would like to discuss the liability at that time.