EFTA demands government explanation over continued Førdefjorden dumping

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has formally requested the Norwegian government to provide a detailed explanation for the ongoing dumping of mining waste into Førdefjorden. This inquiry comes just two days after the Supreme Court declared the discharge permit invalid, a ruling that has cast doubt on the legality of the operation.

EFTA, an organization that oversees Norway's adherence to the EEA Agreement, sought clarification on June 19. The Supreme Court's decision centered on the government's use of an exception clause within the EU Water Framework Directive. The court found that the state had not adequately demonstrated that the measure served a public interest compelling enough to outweigh the environmental harm, a key requirement of the directive.

Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, both the government's legal representatives and the Minister of Climate and Environment have publicly indicated that the mining operations will not be halted. EFTA has posed four specific questions to the government, demanding to know if waste dumping is still occurring and, if so, the legal justification for it.

The Ministry of Climate and Environment has acknowledged receiving EFTA's letter and confirmed its intention to respond by the stipulated deadline of July 3. Last year, the EFTA Court had already established that simple profitability is insufficient grounds to permit such environmental discharges.