
Minister probes possible legal breach by his ministry
Magnus Heunicke, the Danish Environment Minister, has requested an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency into whether his ministry illegally prioritized business interests over environmental concerns. This inquiry comes after the disclosure of experts’ warnings that the ministry may have breached EU law by permitting the discharge of harmful substances into polluted marine areas, particularly from companies like Cheminova. The EU’s Water Framework Directive prohibits further pollution of already contaminated waters. Several political parties have called Heunicke to a consultation, and the minister acknowledges the need for a thorough review of the matter. Legal advisors and researchers suggest that the ministry’s actions were unlawful, which has led to Heunicke asking for both a verbal and written response to the criticisms to ensure compliance with EU directives.