Dutch Biological, Chemical Warfare Programs

(The Netherlands) Frankly, the thought of "open-air poison gas tests" makes me a NIMBY.

From Radio Netherlands:

Government-funded Dutch research organisation TNO is not just conducting scientific research into chemical warfare agents, but is also looking into the dangers of biological warfare compounds. TNO stipulates that the use of biological weapons by terrorists is conceivable.

Dutch weekly HP/DeTijd last week described open-air poison gas tests, carried out by TNO on two military training areas in thinly-populated parts of the country. There were also joint tests with the French in Algeria. [ ... ]

TNO's research into chemical warfare compounds continues until today. Answers are sought to questions such as "Which substances might be used by opponents against the Dutch military or population, and which protection can be given against those?"

TNO itself is also producing chemical warfare compounds, like nerve gases, although that involves very small quantities (a few millilitres per experiment - that's about a teaspoonful) and it's done in high-security labs.

To keep abreast of the real terrorist threat of using biological and chemical weapons, someone must do testing and research. TNO operates one of nineteen research labs authorized by the UN to produce chemical warfare compounds.

On the other hand, there is a ban on producing and possessing biological weapons but no one is verifying compliance. Ominously, al-Qaeda has stated it would not refrain from using biological agents.