News Irrigation
Belgian farmer fears groundwater use
A voided permit for pumping up groundwater for irrigation can have major consequences for farmers in Belgium. The Belgian Council of State thwarted an already granted permit for an agricultural company and is shielding it with rules on environmental protection. Now other companies are also fearing for their permits.
Quirunen Agri Farming, part of the Quirynen Group, had already received a permit in the province of Antwerp to pump up groundwater for the irrigation of its crops. The Council of State put a stop to this last month. The newspaper From Tijd found out. The judgment could have major consequences if it occurs more frequently in companies.
European guidelines
As a reason for the annulment, the Council of State states that scientific research must first be carried out to determine whether natural damage is caused by the extraction of groundwater. This is stated in the European habitat guidelines. If it is not clear what the damage may be, other permits already granted may also be declared null and void.
In Belgium, a permit is required for more than 500m³ of groundwater abstraction. The rule of thumb is that if the groundwater level falls by less than 5 centimetres, there will be no damage to protected natural areas. In practice, this is usually assumed and the permit is therefore granted. The Council of State has doubts about the scientific basis for this practice.
Lacks scientific basis
The Flemish Minister for the Environment, Zuhal Demir, is now having an investigation into the extent to which the '5 centimeter rule' has been scientifically substantiated in the past. If this substantiation is not provided, the granted permit will be completely undermined. A similar scenario has happened before with the granting of permits for nitrogen emissions.
Just like in the Netherlands, the pumping of groundwater is under pressure after 3 dry years, in which agriculture has started to use more water while consumption in other sectors is decreasing. In the meantime, the stocks of groundwater are only being replenished slowly. Minister Demir is therefore pushing for new and stricter regulations regarding the use of groundwater. It should be ready before the summer.
Registration in the Netherlands
We are also moving in that direction in our country. This became clear at the end of March when Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, outgoing Minister of I&W, wrote a report on groundwater extraction. reported that their use should be better registered. At most water boards, farms are now not required to report how much water is extracted. The Union of Water Boards would like to see a change in this and wants one set of rules for the whole of the Netherlands.
Niels van der Boom
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