In just five days, 1,200 farmers applied to have their asbestos roofs removed, Flemish Agriculture Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) announced on Sunday during De Zevende Dag on VRT 1.
Since 2021, agricultural companies have been able to have asbestos roofs removed free of charge through a tender by OVAM. After previous calls, a total of 2,716 asbestos roofs have been removed, with 820 more scheduled for collection, OVAM reported earlier this month. The initiative is part of the Flemish government’s action plan to make Flanders asbestos-safe by 2040.
Earlier this month, OVAM issued a new call for a total of 1,200 collections. Within five days, 1,200 farmers responded, Brouns said on Sunday.
The minister stressed the need to seize this “momentum” to accelerate asbestos removal, especially in schools. However, he also warned that Flanders is under pressure to store and process asbestos, requiring investment in innovative solutions. “I believe we can be pioneers in Flanders. This will require funding, and we must hold producers accountable. The polluter pays,” Brouns stated.
On Wednesday, the Flemish Parliament unanimously approved a resolution calling for asbestos producer Eternit to contribute more to asbestos cleanup costs. Eternit agreed in 2014 to pay €4.8 million for asbestos removal, but much more funding is needed.
Regarding the 2014 agreement, which was arranged under his party colleague Joke Schauvliege, Brouns declined to comment. “I am responsible for current policy and the future. It is crucial that we take maximum responsibility to accelerate the removal,” he said.
Brouns is in discussions with Eternit and there is an ongoing legal procedure, but the details are confidential. “I believe they must take more responsibility, and it did not end in 2014,” he emphasised. “Therefore, I have been asked by the parliament and the government to continue talks and hold them accountable for contributing more to asbestos removal in Flanders.”
