Exchange with the Department of Health without the Minister
Our health is very closely linked to environmental issues. Pesticides and persistent chemicals pollute the environment and pose an acute health risk to humans and nature. Urban warming has been proven to lead to more deaths and health problems. A lack of green spaces in residential areas has a negative impact on (mental) health. The list goes on and on.
Accordingly, Mouvement Ecologique requested a meeting with Health Minister Martine Deprez months ago, which finally took place in mid-January.
At the beginning of the meeting, the officials present had to inform those present that the minister had unfortunately had to cancel for urgent reasons. However, they would inform the minister about the course of the exchange. There are certainly always reasons for a cancellation. However, if it had been possible, it would have been correct to inform Mouvement Ecologique in advance and, if necessary, to suggest postponing the meeting.
However, both the representatives of the Mouvement Ecologique and the officials showed interest in a discussion that was conducted in a proper manner.
Unfortunately, however, the officials did not seem to have a real mandate from the minister to comment specifically on the agreed agenda items, such as:
- To what extent does the ministry get involved in specific dossiers from other ministries that are relevant to health: from water protection and organic farming to legislation on greening towns and villages, and does it also have a specific say in this?
- To what extent is the ministry advocating for stricter values regarding exposure to forever chemicals (PFAS) at the EU level?
- Which ministry is leading the interministerial working group on PFAS and when will an information campaign be carried out on this topic?
- How quickly should the expansion of organic food in hospitals (which has been proven to be relevant to health) be pursued?
- How can children whose hair has been found to be contaminated with pesticides (according to analyses carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Health) be better protected?
The officials were open and committed and also stated that the issues were important to their ministry. They repeatedly pointed out that they would communicate the concerns of the Mouvement Ecologique to the minister.
The Mouvement Ecologique’s conclusion (regardless of the officials’ commitment): It is not clear whether and how consistently the Ministry of Health is taking a stand on health risks posed by environmental toxins, or to what extent it bears responsibility for ensuring that everyone’s health is better protected against them.
The Ministry must become a much more consistent voice for health and environmental issues in this area, including externally, according to the Mouvement Ecologique’s conclusion.
Who knows, perhaps the minister will engage in another exchange … and assume the responsibility entrusted to her in accordance with her governmental duties: to promote the protection of people’s health in these matters as well.
January 23rd 2026