Environmental inspectors’ identities to be better protected amid rising intimidation
The Flemish government will strengthen protections for environmental inspectors following reports of increasing aggression and intimidation. Flemish environment minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) has announced that officials’ names will no longer appear on official inspection reports, De Morgen reported on Friday.
Brouns made the announcement in the Flemish Parliament on Wednesday after several MPs questioned him about mounting threats against environmental inspectors. The issue came to light after De Morgen revealed that officials investigating a waste management mafia operating in the Kempen region had been subjected to intimidation and threats.
According to findings from a federal judicial police investigation, some inspectors were even threatened with death. In cases where direct threats failed to deter officials, criminals reportedly attempted to exert pressure by contacting local mayors in an effort to intimidate inspectors indirectly.
Broun’s proposal aims to shield inspectors’ personal details from those they investigate. However, some within the Department of Environment remain sceptical about whether anonymising reports will significantly improve their safety. Inspectors and supervisors are legally required to identify themselves with official ID cards when carrying out company inspections, meaning their identities cannot be fully concealed in practice.
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