The Ministry of Environment has ordered the temporary suspension of production activities at Cambodian Noble Taste Food Co., Ltd. and Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., following their failure to comply with environmental laws and ministry directives to stop polluting public water sources.
On June 25, the Ministry stated that both companies had continued to discharge untreated wastewater, affecting the Kampong Smach and Phaav streams in Samaki, Teuk Laak, and Teuk Thla communes of Prey Nop district, in Preah Sihanouk province.
The decision to temporarily shut down their operations was made through separate official letters signed recently by Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth, and made public on June 24.
On June 23, a working group from the ministry, with participation from district and commune authorities, as well as local residents affected by the pollution, delivered the suspension letters to the owners and representatives of both companies. The suspension will remain in place until the companies correct their violations in accordance with legal and regulatory standards.
“Due to their failure to comply with the law, Kubon (Cambodia) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Cambodian Noble Taste Food Co., Ltd. must fully suspend their operations until they receive the ministry’s permission to restart,” the ministry stated.
Their actions included violations of Articles 156, 287, 289 and 290 of the Law on Environmental Protection and Natural Resource Management, as well as other relevant sub-decrees.
Moreover, the companies failed to follow an official April 8 notice from the Council of Ministers, and the instructions of Prime Minister Hun Manet, which called on the environment ministry to halt the production activities of polluting companies until legal and regulatory compliance is ensured.
In addition, the companies are required to pay penalties, provide compensation for damages, restore the environment and implement the technical requirements which are required by law and meet established environmental standards.
“If companies fail to comply with the above decisions, the ministry will take legal action to permanently shut them down,” the ministry warned.
To date, more than 30 factories, enterprises, and company locations have been subjected to legal action by the environment ministry for polluting public water sources.
