site.bta Montupet Denies Involvement in Pollution Case in Rousse, Regional Inspectorate Disagrees

Montupet Denies Involvement in Pollution Case in Rousse, Regional Inspectorate Disagrees

Sofia/Rousse, October 22 (BTA) - The French company Montupet,
based in the Industrial Park of Rousse, is absolutely innocent
and has nothing to do with any case of pollution of the city by
the Danube, independent experts Hristo Menzilev and Bozhidar
Panayotov told a news conference here Thursday. They were
presenting data from measurements scientifically proving such an
 assertion. The Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate in
Rousse, however, confirmed its assertions about violations on
the part of the French producer of automotive parts.

On the night of September 13 to 14, the Rousse Regional
Environment and Water Inspectorate received 53 alerts about an
offensive odour. On September 18, the Inspectorate's head Lilia
Atanassova said that the odour was due to releases of heavy
hydrocarbons and other pollutants into the air. The pollution
came from two sources, one of which is Montupet, she noted. The
French company has been fined 14,300 leva monthly since June
2015 for air emissions in excess of the limit values, Atanassova
 added.

The company management explained that the offensive odour
definitely did not come from the Montupet facility, which has
been proven by an independent laboratory. The quantities of
polluting emissions are much below the limit values.

After the excess values were established in June, the facility
was instructed to stop the first production line. This, however,
 has been brought in alliance with the standards and subsequent
measurements established the absolute lack of polluting
emissions, Montupet CEO Michael Brison said. Montupet also
expressed surprise that a month after the pollution the true
source has not been established.

Stephane Delhaye, President of the French-Bulgarian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, insisted that foreign investors deserve
the same attitude as local companies, not systematic
accusations. Montupet should be considered a good example and an
 ambassador to attract more investments in the automotive sector
 in Bulgaria, he remarked.

The President of the company, Didier Crozet, spoke about a
constructive dialogue with the authorities and expressed
disapproval of the denigration of the company and the subsequent
 rumours.

"I do not thing Montupe should claim it is not a source of
pollution, considering that there are objective results that
show the standards in the complex permit have been exceeded,"
Rousse Regional Inspectorate's head Atanassova said. She was
speaking in the wake of an earlier BTA-hosted news conference
given by the company and independent experts.

A probe in July established numerous inconsistencies in the work
 of the installation, followed by the required instructions,
Atanassova said. Two of the sources were established as
exceeding the limits set down in the permit.

At the request of Montupet, the regional lab went and made a
second measurement in relation to the previous ones, for which
the enterprise was sanctioned. The check again showed excessive
quantities of heavy hydrocarbons. "Thus, when we declared
Montupet is one of the "culprits" on the next day, this has been
 set down in writing in the memorandum," Atanassova said.

Once again, she explained that the order for sealing one of the
laying units as of September 23 is based on exceeding standards,
 imposed sanctions, a criminal decree for excessive exhaust gas
and conditions for air pollution.

There is no evidence that the aspiration system of the plant
functions 100 per cent, Atanassova said. A second probe will be
made after mid-November, she specified.