No product in food chain after Esso fire

On Thursday evening, August 31, the farmers affected by the Esso fire were informed of the exact handling and compensation. The parties involved do not want to disclose how high the financial settlement is, but they call ExxonMobil's proposal lenient and correct.

No product may be taken from the agricultural area, where soot particles from the brand at Esso on August 21, into the food chain. Not in human, but also not in animal consumption. That is like a pole above water. Parent company ExxonMobil wants to spare the food chain at all costs from products that can only be questioned. That's what farmers who were present at the talks say.

Solved quickly
This means that ExxonMobil takes full responsibility for the damage that occurred after the fire in the Botlek area. The damaged products are bought up and probably go into the digester.

Arable farmer Arie Pieter Noordermeer is pleased that the situation is resolved quickly and skilfully just before the harvest. "Next week, all affected farmers must have had an appraiser or an appointment has been scheduled. They determine compensation for the various crops. If a farmer thinks that this is not appropriate in his case, because the situation is different or because he does something different with the product, the scheme offers scope to look at that."

Custody fee
ExxonMobil has handed over the inventory and logistics to DLV Advies, which is responsible for the valuation together with LTO. The farmers where Boerenbusiness spoke with, indicate that they can live with the arrangement. One of them mentions the compensation in such a way that no one can be tempted to sell the product a second time. "The system is watertight and they have everything under control. You can only start harvesting or spraying after the appraisers have given their approval. Then there is a logistical operation. Especially if that has to be done off-shore, that's why product has to be produced. stored, but a fee has also been set for storing and storing."

Increased risk
Propagation material, such as seed potatoes and onion seed, is not covered by the scheme. Sizes that are not suitable as seed potatoes must be notified so that they cannot end up in the food chain either. "That makes it seem like a well-thought-out and boarded-up procedure. An example for the future, should something like this ever happen again. Close to Europoort, the risk of these kinds of calamities is increased. Also compared to the Fipronil scandal, which puts farmers in precarious circumstances." , ExxonMobil is very lenient and correct and is looking for solutions together with agriculture." 

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