Posted on 29-8-2002
Green
Minister Resigns
Photo shows former Belgian Environment Minister Magda Aelvoet
BRUSSELS, Belgium, August 27, 2002 (ENS) - Belgium's Environment
Minister
Magda Aelvoet parted company with the government last night
in protest over
a weapons sale to Nepal. The Green minister's resignation followed
approval
by Liberal Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and Foreign Minister
Louis Michel
of a Belgian shipment of 5,500 machine guns to Nepal, where
a civil war is
raging. Aelvoet's spokesperson told reporters that the politician's
decision had been made to resolve her "personal conflict with
the position
of the government" and to remain "coherent with her green beliefs."
The minister, who represents the Flemish Green party Agalev
in Parliament,
had a wide reaching portfolio that included health, consumer
affairs and
social welfare. Under the current six party ruling coalition
in Belgium,
the new minister must come from the Green party. The party itself
is keen
to find a replacement quickly to prevent a crisis of confidence
in the
government. A new appointment is expected to be announced this
week. The
spokesperson said that the loss of Aelvoet would not result
in changes in
the policy direction she had established during her four years
in the post.
This includes a hard line on genetically modified organisms.
In May she invoked the precautionary principle to block field
trials of a
genetically modified oilseed rape and a transgenic apple tree
trial. Three
other applications were approved on condition that the firms
concerned
assume liability for any damage to human and animal health or
property. She
also took a tough stance on chemicals. In April, she imposed
tighter
controls on three pesticide ingredients: diuron, simazine and
alkylphenols.
During the Belgian Presidency of the European Union last year,
Aelvoet
stated her priority as "sustainable development and quality
of life." "This
means that, throughout this Presidency, the promotion of sustainable
consumption and production patterns will serve as the principal
guideline
for the environmental policy of the European Union," she said.
Aelvoet supported European ratification of the Kyoto climate
protocol which
Belgium did ratify this year, along with the other European
Union member
states. "It is the decision of the party to follow the policies
of Mrs.
Aelvoet," the spokesperson said. As for the future, with "elections
next
year, she will surely be active in the campaign," the spokesperson
said.
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