The Province of North Brabant has decided not to appeal the recently granted permit to the zinc factory Nyrstar in Pelt (Belgium).
Although there are concerns about the impact of the discharges on the water quality of the Dommel, we choose not to take further legal steps. Instead, we will focus on intensifying the administrative and official consultations with Flemish authorities, in close coordination with Dutch partners, such as the water board De Dommel, the municipalities involved, and the State.
The zinc factory Nyrstar, located a few kilometers from the border in Belgian Limburg, indirectly discharges its wastewater into the Dommel. The permit, which runs until 2029, includes standards for substances such as thallium, selenium, chloride, and sulfate. These standards are tightened every 2 years. The recent tightening established by the province of Belgian Limburg until 2027 is largely a result of a reduction in the permitted production.
The Province of North Brabant has previously advised negatively on the permit application (refers to another website). The concerns mainly focus on achieving the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Natura 2000. The Water Board and Dommel municipalities have indicated they wish to file an administrative appeal against the permit.
We share these concerns but believe that it is currently more effective to focus on strengthening cooperation with Flemish authorities.
The fact that other authorities are filing appeals underscores the urgency of the dossier and strengthens the need for consultation. In the past, we have never been deterred from appealing against Flemish permits, but in this specific case, consultation offers more perspective for structural improvement of water quality on both sides of the border.
