Colruyt granted approval for sea farm

Belgian retail group Colruyt finally has received definitive approval for its sea farm off the Belgian coast. Works on the farm, that should bring its first Belgian mussels to stores next year, had been going on for a year.

Resistance

Even though the retailer was granted all necessary permissions in 2020 and started construction in January, the farm remained the topic of a judicial tug-of-war. Plans to cultivate mussels (and later also oysters and seaweed) were opposed by the city of Nieuwpoort, which claims the farm would be a hindrance to fishermen and sailors. Local fisherman and yachting clubs also joined the sustained protest.

The Council of State, Belgium’s highest court, has now decided once and for all that all permissions are valid, Belgian newspaper De Tijd reports. All earlier appeals had already been denied, including that of the City of Nieuwpoort. Next year, Colruyt hopes to be able to enjoy the fruits of its labour and sell its first Belgian mussels.