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Health body says avoid eating fish, shrimp caught in the Westerschelde

Public health institute RIVM has warned people who go fishing as a hobby to sharply reduce their consumption of fish, shrimp, oysters and mussels caught in the Westerschelde estuary because of chemical pollution. Fish and shellfish caught in the estuary can contain eight to 10 times the amount of PFAS found in similar products sold in the shops, the RIVM said in its new recommendations, updating an earlier report. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals) are widely used, long lasting chemicals... More >

Minister acts on OMT report 'interference'

Recommendations from the government’s Outbreak Management Team on dealing with coronavirus will be made public before they are sent to the health ministry from now on, health minister Ernst Kuipers has told MPs. Kuipers made the announcement during a debate on claims that civil servants made changes or influenced the OMT’s advice, which was crucial in determining the government’s approach to dealing with the pandemic. During the debate, Kuipers said that civil servants had only asked questions and suggested changes... More >

'Demand delivery not in residential areas'

More than half the on-demand delivery service distribution centres in the Netherlands are not located in residential areas, according to research by property advisory group Colliers. Colliers identified 123 distribution centres and found that just 11% are in a purely residential area, and 34% are in a shopping street in which homes are located above retail outlets. The findings were published shortly after Amsterdam announced it would ban delivery centres, or dark stores, in areas where people live. Colliers identified... More >

How many Ukrainians teens are in NL alone?

At least 170 Ukrainian youngsters under the age of 18 have fled the war to the Netherlands without their parents, but many are not being registered or given a guardian, refugee group Vluchtelingenwerk and Unicef have told broadcaster NOS. Being Ukrainian, the youngsters are not required to report to the refugee settlement agency COA and so are not being provided with special accommodation, like other unaccompanied minors. This also opens them to the risk of being exploited or trafficked, the... More >

Dutch imports from Russia rise in March

Dutch exports to Ukraine and Russia fell sharply in March, following the Russian invasion, figures from national statistics agency CBS show. In March, exports to Ukraine fell by €97 million or 84% and to Russia by €453 million or 67%, the CBS said. However, imports from Russia rose 115% in financial terms to €4.1 billion, largely because of soaring energy prices. Fuel accounted for €1.7 billion of the increase, while metals such as nickel, aluminium and copper, which have also... More >

Farmers fear possible 'pasture permit'

Farmers’ organisations have called on their members to keep their cows indoors next Monday in protest against a possible ‘pasture permit’ to cut nitrogen-based pollution. Farmers fear they will not be able to put their cows to pasture without a permit following a court case brought by environment activist Johan Vollenbroek in Overijssel, who wants the impact of cow urine and manure outdoors to be included in pollution calculations. The province does not require farmers to have a permit because... More >

Dutch exports to Britain fall 20%

Exports from the Netherlands to Britain fell by 21% last year, when compared to the pre-coronavirus year of 2019, but the decline was entirely due to the downturn in re-exports, according to new figures from national statistics office CBS. The export of goods which originated in the Netherlands itself actually rose 20%, but this was offset by the 50% drop in re-exports of food and machinery which was produced elsewhere, the CBS said. The Netherlands also provided 13% more services,... More >

NVJ and providers challenge Russian TV ban

Internet providers and press freedom campaigners are to ask the European Court of Justice to overturn the ban on Russian-backed TV channels. The Dutch journalists’ union NVJ and organisations such as Bits of Freedom say the online blockade undermines democracy and the principle of net neutrality. EU governments agreed in March to ban cable channels RT and Sputnik across the region following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The channels are seen as a key component of Moscow’s effort to spread disinformation... More >

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