PFAS coalition leaves negotiating table on PFAS and Oosterweel

19.09.2022 | Fundamental right

PFAS coalition leaves negotiating table on PFAS and Oosterweel

"We are not pulling the plug on the negotiations, the government has never connected the plug. Whatever it may cost Flanders in terms of pollution, health or genuflection to 3M or Lantis: this government wants to realise Oosterweel. That was the starting point of the negotiations. We cannot validate such a process"

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In April, a judgment of the Council of State the works with contaminated PFAS soil at the Oosterweel site have been halted again. Minister Demir announced together with stakeholders towards a negotiated solution to want to go. The PFAS coalition [1], at the basis of the Oosterwee rulings, entered this conversation with an open mind. Now they have determined that the Demir cabinet would rather not have them at the table.  

"We are not pulling the plug on the negotiations, the government has never connected the plug. Whatever it may cost Flanders in terms of pollution, health or bowing down to 3M or Lantis: this government wants to realise Oosterweel. That was the starting point of the negotiations. We cannot validate such a process," says Joeri Thijs of Greenpeace.

Oosterweel above remediation

The coalition determined that Oosterweel has a higher priority than a broad remediation, and that there is hardly any room for discussion about credible soil standards.

“We have been asking the government for months to put a broad remediation plan on the table, with which the Oosterweel works could also be continued safely and healthily. We have never received an answer to that,” says Thomas Goorden. “On the contrary, it seems very likely that a discussion about credible soil standards was impossible in advance. Because Oosterweel has to happen, no matter what.”

Inadequate attention to health research

The coalition also notes that the Flemish government makes very little effort to carry out the promised large-scale health research to a successful conclusion. “There seems to be little interest in thoroughly mapping out the health consequences of this environmental disaster,” says Toon Penen. “That is problematic, because it also jeopardizes 3M's liability in this area.”

Very strict confidentiality clause and empty promises regarding support

Nevertheless, the coalition has shown great willingness to help find negotiated solutions. Given the history in the PFAS scandal and the heavy political pressure on the Oosterweel dossier, the coalition continued to critically monitor transparency and legality. Because it was precisely backroom deals with polluter 3M and developer Lantis that led to the current impasse.

That's why the very strict confidentiality clause imposed by the Demir cabinet to sit at the negotiating table is also a major stumbling block.

“We understand that discretion is important during such discussions and were prepared to make agreements about that. But what the cabinet imposed amounted to silencing critical mouths, even after a possible negotiated agreement and against all promises for more transparency. We could not go along with that. Of course, we want to be able to communicate openly with our supporters, the many indignant residents, at all times,” says Toon Penen, resident of Zwijndrecht and member of the citizen collective Grondrecht.

A final stumbling block was a final njet on the financial support to activist Thomas Goorden and residents at Grondrecht. A legitimate question that should make it feasible for them to participate in such an intense negotiation process.

“If governments want to seek negotiated solutions in consultation with citizens and stakeholders, they must be prepared to ensure that citizens with viable means can engage in such a conversation,” says citizen activist Thomas Goorden. “It is absolutely unreasonable to expect volunteers to help solve a government-caused problem of this magnitude without professional assistance or support.”

Since May, Minister Demir has repeatedly confirmed such financing as entirely legitimate. However, her cabinet has repeatedly put on the brakes. “These kinds of tactics are a particularly cynical way to exhaust every qualitative dissenting voice,” Goorden adds.

What now?

The PFAS coalition has always been very clear about what it expects from the authorities involved: solutions for the PFAS pollution in Antwerp that are safe, environmentally friendly, healthy and legal. The Council of State has followed it twice in this. 

The coalition will now continue to play its role as a critical watchdog, with legal procedures continuing. Where necessary, it will increase pressure for a healthy, environmentally friendly and legal approach to a broad clean-up and the Oosterweel site. It will also continue to advocate for quality health research among affected citizens.

“If the government, in consultation with other stakeholders, comes up with credible and legal solutions in the coming weeks, we will support them, even if they did not want us at the table,” concludes Joeri Thijs for the PFAS coalition. “Without our legal procedures and perseverance over the past year, these negotiations would not even have happened.”

Notes: 

[1] The PFAS coalition consists of vzw Grondrecht (citizens' collective with affected residents from Zwijndrecht, Beveren and Antwerp Linkeroever), environmental activist and PFAS whistleblower Thomas Goorden, and environmental organization Greenpeace Belgium.