39 agricultural and horticultural companies file damage claims against 3M in Zwijndrecht

05.02.2025 | Fundamental right

Costs for impact of PFAS pollution are increasing

Farmers and gardeners demand compensation from chemical company 3M

In the region Zwijndrecht to have 39 agricultural and horticultural companies An compensation requested from chemical company 3MThese companies claim to have suffered losses due to the so-called no regret measures which were introduced in response to the PFAS contamination in the area. The consequences of this also remain in 2024 palpable.

Previous compensation: 1.5 million euros paid out to affected companies

This is not the first time that 3M companies compensate for the consequences of the PFAS crisisAbout a year ago the company returned 1.5 million euros off on 40 farmers and gardeners with grounds on the left bank of the ScheldtThese plots are located within a radius of five kilometers from the chemical plant.

What is the process for assessing damage claims?

In the coming weeks a steering committee, consisting of representatives of agricultural organizations and the Agency for Agriculture and Sea Fisheries, assess the applications. After this evaluation, the farmers involved will receive a individual proposal for compensation.

💬 “We aim to pay out all approved applications by the end of May 2025,“ according to a spokesperson for 3M.

What are the no-regret measures and their impact?

The so-called no regret measures are precautionary measures which were introduced to reduce the risks of PFAS contamination to limit. These measures not only affect companies, but also the local populationFor example, residents in the area around Zwijndrecht were advised to no home grown vegetables to consume from your own garden.

For the agricultural and horticultural sector, these measures have led to loss of turnover, additional production costs and damage to imageThe . compensation scheme from 3M includes various compensation, including lump sums for lost working time and damage to business operations.

Compensation does not constitute legal indemnity for 3M

It is important to emphasize that receiving compensation no settlement contains. Agricultural and horticultural companies reserve the right to legal action to take action against 3MThis means that companies that now receive compensation will still receive one later. court case can tighten.

3M's soil remediation plan remains a topic of debate

In january 2025 became the newest soil remediation plan from 3M by the Flemish waste management agency OVAM as “in accordance” assessed. However, criticism remains from citizen collective Fundamental right, which states that there important information is missing about the free soil and groundwater measurements.