Dryade initiates two new lawsuits against permits for a fruit grower and a ornamental horticulture. Both companies are allowed to store and use large quantities of pesticides on their crops, close to protected nature and residential areas. According to Dryade, the consequences for nature and local residents were not investigated. The need to investigate the effects of pesticide use on nature follows from the Pesticide ruling of December 2025. Because Minister Brouns refuses to implement it, Dryade feels compelled to challenge these permits.
In december 2025, Dryade, together with Natuurpunt, Bond Beter Leefmilieu, WWF and Velt, won an important lawsuit regarding pesticides. The court ruled that Flanders does not correctly apply European nature regulations. Pesticide use in and near protected nature areas must be investigated when it can have harmful effects on nature.
Today this does not happen because no permit is required for the use of pesticides. As a result, it is also not investigated what damage they may cause to protected nature.
Minister does not implement Pesticide ruling
More than nine months after the ruling, the Flemish government has still not amended the regulations. Minister Brouns has filed an appeal, but refuses to implement the ruling. According to Dryade, this is unacceptable. The ruling must be implemented, even when an appeal is filed.
“A rule of law only works if the government also respects judicial rulings. Minister Brouns cannot simply ignore a verdict. Otherwise, a won court case risks becoming a paper victory.”
Dryade is taking the initiative to go to court
Because the Flemish government is not taking action, Dryade is taking the initiative itself. The organisation is asking the Council for Permit Disputes to annul two permits: one for a large-scale fruit grower and one for an ornamental plant grower.
Both companies have a permit for the storage of large quantities of pesticides, up to 5 tonnes. They are also located close to protected nature areas.
According to Dryade, the permitting authorities should have investigated what impact the use of these pesticides could have on the nearby nature. This did not happen.
Not only nature, but also local residents
The procedures are not only important for nature. Both companies are located in or near village centres. As a result, local residents can also be exposed to pesticides.
Scientific research from the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) shows that pesticides can spread through air, water and living organisms far beyond the treated plots. They can cause damage to plants and animals and are linked to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and disruption of the hormone levels in children.
“Anyone who uses pesticides on a large scale near nature and homes must first investigate what damage that may cause. This is not a ban on pesticide use. It is a matter of precaution, for the nature AND for the residents.”
With the two new lawsuits, Dryade aims to prevent the Pesticide ruling from becoming a dead letter. If the Flemish government refuses to implement the ruling, Dryade will enforce its application themselves, permit by permit.