INEOS ethane cracker dossier may require international mediation, says N-VA
N-VA is considering international mediation in the case of the Ineos ethane cracker in the port of Antwerp. This was announced by Flemish MP Jurgen Callaerts in parliament on Tuesday. The dossier is currently held up by three different court cases.
In 2022, the Flemish government granted an environmental permit to the chemical company Ineos to build an ethane cracker in the port of Antwerp. Thirteen environmental organisations and the Dutch provinces of Noord-Brabant and Zeeland appealed. On 20 July 2023, the Council for Permit Disputes annulled the permit. Former Environment minister Zuhal Demir later issued a new permit.
Legal troubles
On Tuesday, Environment minister Jo Brouns went through the current procedures in parliament. For example, two Dutch provinces have applied to the Council for Permit Disputes to annul the permit. A decision is not expected before the end of 2025.
Meanwhile, Ineos has submitted an entirely new environmental permit application to the Antwerp deputation. The deputation has to decide by 17 January at the latest. Finally, the nitrogen decree is being challenged before the Constitutional Court. A decision is expected next summer.
In parliament, Callaerts suggested that international mediation should be considered, as the problem goes beyond borders. One option would be the European Commission. "The investment that Ineos wants to make in our country is too important to let it die on the battlefield of licensing procedures," the N-VA MP said on Tuesday.
"The investment that Ineos wants to make in our country is too important to let it die on the battlefield of licensing procedures"
"Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that," replied Jo Brouns. "But everything that can help will be needed."
Brouns recalled that the government had already visited the Netherlands to mediate in November. "We went there with an open mind. We have the same challenges. We provide some nitrogen on their territory and vice versa. They have yet to come up with a programmatic approach, we already have," he said.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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