Unconventional Gas in the Benelux: Cautious Attitudes and Regional Interplay

The three countries of the Benelux are often overlooked in Europe’s current unconventional gas debate. But the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg all possess considerable shale gas resources, and major energy companies have already taken an interest. So far no serious drilling has taken place. This article puts the discoveries and recent action in the perspective of regional breakdown of public policy and government authority. Analyzing business prospects, economic policy and regulatory action of the different governments in the Benelux, the article yields insight into the relevant power structure inside the policy domain. The influence of different members of the Benelux on the other members is discussed. All three countries have adopted a rather cautious attitude towards the exploration and production of unconventional gas

Een matematisch model van de grondwaterstromingen in het kwartaire reservoir ten oosten van De Haan

A mathematical model has been developed to simulate groundwater flow in the Quaternary aquifer system east of De Haan (Belgium). The estimated lateral variations of the hydraulic parameters have repeatedly been adjusted by comparing the calculated hydraulic-head configuration to the observed one. After this calibration of the model was achieved, the influence of groundwater extraction has been examined. Even at pumping rates as low as 250.000 m³/year, artificial replenishment of the aquifer system will be necessary in order to avoid flow of salt water towards the wells

The role of geomorphic controls on the development of defensive networks along the Western Front during the Great War: case study of Champagne and Argonne (france)

The Great War was marked on the western front mainly by a war of position (for 40 out of the 51 months of the conflict) along the 750 km of the front area from Flanders to Alsace. The objective of this article is to understand the spatial organisation of defence networks in the eastern part of the Champagne region (Champagne sèche), the Vallage d’Aisne and in the Argonne region in 1918 by means of an analysis of geographical information system (GIS)-processed trench maps. This article presents a methodology, involving the transfer of fire trenches, communication trenches and vegetation, integrated into a geodatabase, and then cross-referenced with the digital terrain model (DTM). This comparison of three distinct regions with a chalky plateau (Champagne sèche), a wet plain (Vallage d’Aisne) and a sandy plateau covered with forests (Argonne), not only makes it possible to qualify the role of geographical conditions on the Great War but also to quantify the defence networks.Keywords: WW1, trench map, GIS, spatial analysis, Champagne sèche, Vallage d’Aisne, Argonn

EFSA guidelines on environmental risk assessment of GM animals, including insects

Future applications for the marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the EU may include food/feed products derived from genetically modified (GM) animals, and the release of GM animals, including insects, into the environment. Efforts towards the development of GM insects to control insect vectors of human diseases and manage agricultural pests have progressed substantially with various GM insect × trait combinations in the development pipeline. As a proactive measure, the scientific GMO Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has developed guidelines on: (1) the risk assessment of food/feed derived from GM animals including animal health and welfare aspects; and (2) the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of living GM animals, including insects, released into the environment for commercial purposes. The latter assists applicants in the preparation and presentation of their applications by describing the elements and data requirements for a structured ERA of GM insects consistent with the current Directive 2001/18/EC. A dedicated Working Group (WG) was involved in the elaboration of the ERA guidelines on GM insects, which underwent a public consultation before their finalisation. Relevant comments received were considered by the WG. The WG also took into account the external scientific report on GM insects commissioned by EFSA (Benedict et al., 2010). This report provided background information by mapping relevant fields of expertise and identified essential elements to be considered when performing an ERA of GM insects. Content and stakeholder involvement for the EFSA guidelines are presented