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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Ypres tightens checks on water pumping ban: farmers risk fines and equipment seizure

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Authorities in Ypres are intensifying checks on a ban preventing farmers from pumping water from small watercourses.
  • The ban, extended to all of West Flanders due to drought, aims to prevent streams from drying up, with violators facing fines and potential equipment seizure.
  • Despite warnings, some farmers continue to pump water, prompting increased enforcement by police and environmental agencies.

Farmers in Ypres face stricter enforcement of a ban on pumping water from small watercourses, a measure implemented to combat drought conditions. The prohibition, now extended across the entire province of West Flanders, aims to preserve dwindling water levels in streams and ditches. Authorities are intensifying controls, with violators risking fines and the confiscation of their equipment.

In the coming 2 weeks, no precipitation is predicted. Therefore, the existing ban is extended to the entire province.

— Governor Carl Decaluwé (CD&V)Governor Carl Decaluwé explains the rationale behind extending the water pumping ban across West Flanders due to the lack of predicted rainfall.

The decision to tighten controls comes as no rainfall is forecast for the next two weeks, exacerbating existing water shortages. Governor Carl Decaluwé highlighted the widespread nature of the ban, affecting all of West Flanders. However, initial enforcement has focused on warnings, with police acknowledging that the ban is relatively new. Glenn Verdru of the Ypres police zone stated that patrols will increase, and those caught pumping water will face penalties.

That can be the case. The ban has only just come into effect, so for now we are only raising awareness. In the coming days, the police will conduct extra checks.

— Glenn Verdru of police zone YpresGlenn Verdru of the Ypres police zone acknowledges that some farmers may not be adhering to the ban yet, explaining the initial focus on awareness before stricter enforcement.

Enforcement is not solely the responsibility of the police. The Agency for Nature and Forest is also involved, with the power to seize pumping equipment, including tractors, for repeat offenders. This comprehensive approach underscores the seriousness of the water scarcity situation. An exception exists for the Oostkustpolder region, where the Leopold Canal ensures a sufficient water supply, allowing pumping to continue there.

Anyone caught then risks a fine.

— Glenn VerdruGlenn Verdru warns of the financial penalties for farmers caught violating the water pumping ban during intensified checks.

The article notes that this information was provided by a reader tip to VRT NWS, illustrating the publication's reliance on community contributions for local news coverage. The intensified checks signal a shift from awareness campaigns to stricter penalties, reflecting the urgent need to conserve water resources in the region.

If we catch someone repeatedly, we can also seize the pumping equipment, such as the tractor.

— Agency for Nature and ForestA representative from the Agency for Nature and Forest details the potential confiscation of farming equipment as a consequence for repeated violations of the water ban.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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