Translated by Google
Criminal networks in the Kempen region have dumped thousands of tons of waste on Kempen farmland. This is according to an investigation by the federal police, in collaboration with the Dutch police. Officially, the public prosecutor’s office has not released the names of the suspects, but according to the Gazet Van Antwerpen, it concerns a criminal organization centered around the notorious Dutch pig farmer and manure trader Peet W. from Baarle-Nassau, who may also have been involved in the Fertikal fraud involving manure processing and biogas production in 2021.
The precise extent of the waste dumping is not yet clear, but according to Gazet van Antwerpen, at least 3,000 tons of contaminated industrial salt were spread over various fields in the Belgian-Dutch border region. Peet W. and contractor Geert H. mixed this with soil improver and offered it as such to farmers. Demolition waste containing asbestos was also reportedly spread, but not only that. Last year, traces of amphetamines and crystal meth were found during sampling in Baarle-Nassau. Whether drug waste was also dumped there remains unclear.
The nature of the waste is still being investigated
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office confirmed to VILT that the precise nature of the contamination is still under investigation. “The inspection services have taken samples to investigate which waste materials have been illegally mixed into the environment. Further samples are part of the ongoing investigation. These will also reveal the extent to which waste has been dumped and where it has been spread.”
The “soil improver” in question was not available from regular retailers. “It appears the suspects presented their mixture as legitimate, but the trade took place illegally. Fertilizers sold officially are subject to inspections and are strictly regulated.”
Did the contaminated vegetables end up on our plates?
Whether crops from the treated fields have entered our food chain remains unclear. “We don’t know at this time,” the prosecutor’s office stated.
Although our food is subject to strict controls, it’s not impossible for contaminated crops to slip through the cracks. The waste substances discussed in the study are not detected using standard testing methods. “These substances are not analyzed within our standard control program for the simple reason that there are no standards for these substances in fertilizers,” says Hélène Bonte of the FASFC.
It’s also unclear how long these practices have been going on. The public prosecutor’s office cannot currently provide a timeframe. It’s therefore possible that this waste has been dumped on fields for years. “We don’t know how long this practice has been going on,” says the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office. “The investigation has been ongoing for a while. Last week, there was an intervention with several house searches and arrests. Six people were arrested at that time and made statements. Three of them appeared before the investigating judge.”
Links with previous investigations into manure fraud
Last week, the federal police conducted a series of simultaneous house searches in Baarle-Hertog, Merksplas, Ravels, and Weelde. Six people were arrested: four men aged 32, 33, 33, and 64, and two women aged 63. Through international cooperation, three house searches were also conducted simultaneously in the Netherlands. According to Gazet van Antwerpen, the main suspect, Peet W., has not yet been arrested. The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office can neither deny nor confirm this.
The Flemish Environmental Inspectorate and the Flemish Land Agency assisted in Tuesday’s intervention. “Enforcement proceedings have been underway for some time at the companies of the individuals mentioned in the press,” says Ann Heylens of the Department of Environment. “Several reports have been issued in recent years, not only by the Department of Environment’s environmental inspectors but also by the Manure Bank. These were filed in response to violations of waste legislation. In addition, reminders have been issued and administrative measures have been imposed.”
With this, the Department of Environment appears to be linking the investigation launched in 2021 into large-scale manure fraud at Fertikal and the Quireynen Group. At the time, Fertikal was one of the largest manure processors in Western Europe. The company’s board included directors of the Quireynen Group, but a certain Peet W. from Baarle-Nassau was also a director of Fertikal. The public prosecutor’s office will neither confirm nor deny whether this was the same Peet W., but the likelihood seems high.
430,000 euros seized
Heylens confirms that the findings of the Flemish Environmental Inspectorate have led to legal action. “Based on our findings, and following an investigation by the judicial police, searches were conducted and arrests made last week. A supervisor from our Enforcement Department was involved to support the judicial police with technical assistance. Since these cases are currently in the investigation phase, we cannot comment further on this matter.”
An illegal weapon was found during one of the house searches. At least €430,000 was seized. The investigation continues.
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