The US wants to burn contraceptives, but Belgium has blocked their destruction

A shipment of American contraceptives worth nearly $10 million remains in a Belgian warehouse because local authorities have not received a request for their legal incineration.

The planned destruction, which has been confirmed by the US State Department, follows the Trump administration's decision to halt foreign aid, which led to the rejection of alternative options such as donating the drugs to poorer countries.

However, the Flemish government, which is responsible for this area, prohibits the incineration of medical supplies that are still usable and is therefore applying for an official exemption. Both the local and federal Belgian authorities have expressed their willingness to work with the US to find a legal and ethical solution.

Washington has not yet commented on the matter.

The warehouse in Geel contains contraceptive implants, pills, and intrauterine devices.

(reuters, lup)