39 agricultural and horticultural businesses in the Zwijndrecht region (East Flanders) have applied for compensation from the chemical company 3M.
These businesses have been impacted by precautionary measures due to PFAS contamination in 2024. PFAS, or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known as "forever chemicals" as they do not break down in the environment.
Last year, 3M provided compensation to 40 agricultural businesses on the left bank of the Scheldt and within a five-kilometre radius of its facilities.
The latest round of applications for compensation will be assessed by a grouping of agricultural organisations and the Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries. Farmers will then receive individual proposals. 3M says it wants to complete payments for all valid claims by the end of May 2025.
The fallout of PFAS
Several businesses around Zwijndrecht have been grappling with the impact of precautionary PFAS measures for some time. One harmful consequence for farmers is the advice given to citizens not to eat homegrown vegetables.
The compensation scheme includes different allowances and arrangements for lost labour hours, extra production costs, revenue loss and damage to reputation. Receiving compensation does not prevent farmers from filing legal claims in the future.
In January 2025, the Flemish Waste Management Agency (OVAM) deemed 3M's new soil remediation plan in Zwijndrecht "compliant". However, the civic collective Grondrecht argued that "crucial information about free soil and groundwater measurements is missing."
