The World - News from May 26, 1989

An ambitious plan to clean up the heavily polluted environment of the Netherlands by the year 2010 was submitted to Parliament by the government. However, it said 80% of that nation’s forests may die even if the measures are put into effect. Among the goals are removing 7,000 toxic waste dumps, cutting pesticide and fertilizer use by 50% and reducing industrial discharges by 75%. The cost by 1994 would be more than $14 per month per household, according to Environment Minister Ed Nijpels. The plan, likely to be a major campaign issue, will be taken up by the new government after elections in September. Cabinet disagreements over a minor part of the plan brought down the government headed by Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers earlier this month.