The top man of Tata Steel Netherlands Hans van den Berg does not intend to come to the House of Representatives to explain the company’s emissions of toxic substances. That reports The Telegraph. Van den Berg wants to send director Marco Workel instead. He is responsible for the company’s health policy. D66 is furious about the decision of the top man and wants to force him to come to the Chamber after all, a party spokesperson confirms to the ANP news agency.
At the end of last month, research by the RIVM showed that harmful substances around the steel factory were still higher in 2022 than elsewhere in the country, despite the measures the company has taken to reduce emissions.
Read also: New environmental standards for Tata are delayed due to European viscosity
In response to the results of the RIVM investigation, D66 MP Kiki Hagen wanted Van den Berg to explain the “structural violation of permits, extreme environmental and health damage and failure to keep promises to the environment”. Hagen received support from the entire parliamentary committee, after which the Tata boss was invited.
Tata has now informed the House of Representatives that Van den Berg will not be coming. A spokesman for the steel mill is on The Telegraph confirmed that Marco Workel has been appointed to go to the Chamber. He is more substantively aware of the situation, the statement said.
Hagen now wants to force the top man to come anyway by subjecting him to a parliamentary questioning, where it is mandatory to show up. A spokesman for D66 has informed the ANP news agency that there is a “very good chance” that the questioning will take place. According to Hagen, Van den Berg runs away from his responsibility. “This is a slap in the face to local residents.”