Vedan Vietnam, the Taiwanese-invested monosodium glutamate maker, has committed at least 10 violations of environmental protection regulations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced on Friday at the company’s office in Dong Nai province.
An investigation into the dumping of untreated effluents and test results of waste water samples taken from the company has highlighted the following 10 infringements:
1. Discharge of wastewater 10 times higher than allowable levels at the starch factory;
2. Discharge of wastewater 10 times higher than allowable levels at the MSG and lysine factory;
3. Discharge of wastewater 10 times higher than allowable levels at the other factories;
4. Failure to provide full reports to agencies with relevant information and data on environmental protection;
5. Failure to register environmental protection commitments for its pig breeding farm with the environmental protection agency;
6. Developing and putting into operation a project for raising the capacity of the soda and acid factory, without an environmental impact assessment;
7. Developing and putting into operation projects for raising the capacity of the plants, including those for MSG, starch, high-grade spices, and lysine, without environmental impact assessment reports;
8. Discharging bad odors directly into the environment, without using equipment to minimize pollution levels;
9. Failure to control harmful waste in accordance with environmental protection regulations; and
10. Releasing wastewater into the water source at locations not specified in the license.
The representative of Vedan Vietnam has admitted to the violations, and the company faces total fines of more than VND90 billion (about US$5.4 million), the ministry said.
Speaking to the press, Le Van Hop, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the ministry has proposed three measures to deal with Vedan Vietnam’s violations: revoking the license for discharging waste water into the Thi Vai River; suspending operations of the company; or referring the case to relevant agencies for investigation.
For the time being, the ministry will revoke the license for discharging waste water into the Thi Vai River in the southern province of Dong Nai, Hop said.
The representative of Vedan Vietnam has reportedly delivered an apology for the company’s acts that have been harmful to the environment for the past 14 years.
Related articles:
Lack of Skilled Investigators Delayed Detection of Vedan’s Crimes
http:///National/2008/9/65369/
Ministry Orders Vedan to Suspend Operations
/National/2008/9/65341/
