Limburg Environmental Group Appeals Permit for Controversial Caviar Farm
The Limburg Environmental Coalition (Limburgse Milieukoepel) has filed an appeal with the Flemish government against the environmental permit granted to Royal Belgian Caviar for a sturgeon farm in Kinrooi, warning that the project’s massive groundwater consumption is unsustainable in a region facing increasing drought.
The permit, approved by the Province of Limburg in early June 2026, would allow the company to extract 438 million liters of groundwater annually — more than 1 million liters per day, equivalent to the average annual water consumption of nearly 12,000 Limburg residents, or roughly the entire population of Kinrooi. Over the permit’s 20-year term, total water extraction would reach 8 billion liters.
A Clash Between Luxury and Basic Rights
“The contrast between drinking water as a basic right and caviar as a luxury product makes this groundwater permit socially indefensible,” said Dylan Elen, spokesperson for the Limburg Environmental Coalition, as reported by VRT NWS.
To strengthen its appeal, the coalition launched a public petition on July 3, calling on Flemish Minister of Environment and Agriculture Jo Brouns (CD&V) to review the permit. “We get the message that we must be sparing with groundwater, but then they go and pump so much groundwater for a luxury product. That’s pure Kafka,” Elen added.
The Permit Decision
The Provincial Environmental Permit Commission issued a unanimous favorable opinion on the project, which will see two halls built on a 2.3-hectare plot at the Agropolis business park, totaling 13,350 m² of built area. The company already operates a facility in Turnhout and claims 94% of its water is recycled.
Provincial Deputy for Environmental Permits Inge Moors (CD&V) defended the decision, telling VRT NWS that “the concerns raised concerned mobility, water needs, and wastewater discharge. These could all be refuted.” She noted the company already achieves 90% circularity and must investigate further water savings.
The permit includes conditions from the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM), limiting emergency discharge to 200 cubic meters per day instead of the requested 360, setting discharge norms valid for 12 years, and requiring regular reporting on water quality parameters including chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels.
Environmental Concerns in a Drought-Prone Region
The controversy comes as Flanders faces increasing water stress due to climate change. In July 2026, code yellow for drought was declared across the region. Deep groundwater layers in Limburg, which take years to recharge, are used for drinking water production.
“The province issues that permit knowing that in the future there will only be more dry, warm periods,” Elen said, as reported by TV Limburg. “Deep groundwater layers in Limburg are used for drinking water, but due to climate change, the groundwater level will drop in the coming decades. It takes years for surface water to penetrate that deep into the ground. So the problems will only become visible in years to come.”
Company’s Position
Royal Belgian Caviar CEO Mario Volders has defended the project, explaining that while 94% of water is recovered, full recycling is technically difficult in aquaculture. “To prevent accumulation of minerals and salts, that last part must be replaced by fresh water,” he said, as reported by VILT. The company investigated reverse osmosis but found it too expensive and noted it would remove beneficial substances from the water.
The remaining water is purified before discharge into the nearby Witbeek stream. The project is expected to create approximately 8 jobs.
Broader Implications
This case highlights a growing tension in Flanders between economic development and environmental sustainability. As aquaculture expands and drought conditions worsen, conflicts over water allocation are likely to intensify. The environmental coalition argues the permit contradicts official messaging that citizens and farmers must conserve water.
“Over 20 years, 8 billion liters of water will be extracted from the ground in Kinrooi, used in the basins, and then discharged into the nearby stream,” Elen said. “It’s like carrying drinking water to the sea.”
What’s Next
The Flemish government will now review the appeal. Minister Jo Brouns has the authority to uphold, modify, or overturn the provincial permit. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how Flanders balances industrial water use with conservation in an era of climate change. The environmental coalition’s petition aims to demonstrate public support for stricter water protection measures.
This article was compiled from reporting by VRT NWS, TV Limburg, and VILT.