Latest news with #MatthiasDiependaele
Euractiv
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Euractiv
Belgian court halts arms transit to Israel via Flanders
A Belgian court has ordered the Flemish regional government to suspend all military transit to Israel via its territory, citing violations of international humanitarian law, Belgian news agency Belga reports. The ruling follows legal action by four human rights organisations who argued that weapons passing through the Port of Antwerp risk contributing to war crimes in Gaza. The court concluded that Flanders failed to properly assess whether arms transfers to Israel were compatible with Belgium's international obligations. At the centre of case is a container with parts produced in France, headed for Israeli defence contractor Ashot Ashkelon Industries. The container was intercepted in Antwerp last month. Local Flemish law prohibits the export or transit of goods directly supporting the Israeli Defence Forces, the IDF. With the ruling, the local Flemish government is obliged to enforce arms trade rules and impose penalties of €50,000 for each violation, Belga reports. The Flemish government appealed the verdict immediately. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele questioned 'the validity, impact and scope of this judgment, which appears far removed from reality.' One of the plaintiffs, civil rights NGO 11.11.11 celebrated the ruling. "This verdict must be the starting point for true political responsibility," the organisation wrote in a press release. Last month, the UK's High Court refused to intervene and stop British manufacturers' involvement in Israel's US-produced F-35 fighter jets. Italian, Danish and Dutch companies are also subcontractors to the F-35 programme. (aw)
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Potato-products group Agristo plans more India investment
Agristo Masa, a joint venture between Masa Global and frozen potato products producer Agristo, will invest additional €80m ($87.23m) in its operations in India. The venture operates a facility in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh. In a statement, Belgium-based Agristo said since the facility's launch in 2022, potato yields in the region have nearly doubled from 17t per hectare (ha) to 32t per ha, marking 'one of the highest' yields in India. Kristof Wallays, Agristo's director of international expansion, innovation, and sustainability, said: 'Our collaboration with Masa Global allows us to contribute to the rapidly growing Indian agriculture and food processing sector, benefiting all stakeholders involved.' The Bijnor factory supplies customers in India and in export markets including the Middle East, South East Asia and North America. The new investment will introduce a production line for frozen potato products, an 'important step in the company's ongoing growth', Agristo said. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele said: 'With Flemish technology, we are building the future here [India]. 'This investment not only strengthens the Indian economy but also fosters new innovations and closer cooperation with local farmers.' In January, Agristo announced plans for its production facility in the US with a site in North Dakota. The company is also expanding its production capacity in Europe to meet increasing demand. It is expanding its site in Wielsbeke in Belgium, with preparatory work underway for a new plant in Escaudoeuvres in France. "Potato-products group Agristo plans more India investment " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
