The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment August 4 agreed to a proposal which would advance farmers in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province VND2.6 billion (US$130,000) to cover legal fees involved with suing the Taiwanese MSG company Vedan.
The money will come from the Vietnam Environment Protection Fund, said a representative from the ministry.
According to Tran Van Cuong, deputy chairman of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Tan Thanh District People’s Court has received 700 of 1,255 petitions of affected farmers requesting Vedan pay for damages.
Lawsuit applications against Vedan are expected to be filed with the district People’s Court on August 12, Cuong said.
On the same day, lawyer Nguyen Duc, Chairman of Dong Nai Province Lawyer Association said lawyers, acting on behalf of farmers, filed 30 petitions to bring Vedan to court.
To date, lawyers in Dong Nai Province have instructed 2,500 households to complete legal procedures necessary to sue Vedan.
