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13 October 2003 Issued by WEN in the UK on behalf of Women in Europe for a Common Future Protect health before industry profit, women tell European Leaders A leading network of women's organisations has called on the European Commission and leading politicians to stand firm against pressure from the chemicals industry to put profits before human health. A healthy population is good for the economy and industry doesn’t have to lose competitiveness, Women in Europe for a Common Future says. On Oct 29 the European Commission is due to vote on a draft EU law which would better control the use of thousands of untested chemicals which are rapidly accumulating in women's bodies. But UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder have lobbied European Commission President Romano Prodi on behalf of the industry. On 20 September the leaders wrote: “A future EU chemicals policy must be designed in such a way as to ensure environmental health and consumer protection without endangering the international competitiveness of the European chemical industry.” They argued against ‘unnecessary burdens on industry’ and echoed industry fears that the proposed procedures would be ‘too bureaucratic’. Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF), a pan-European network of organisations with 56 members in 26 countries have today written to Prof. Prodi and the three leaders urging them to stand firm. WECF asked the trio: “What takes a higher priority in your list of responsibilities, protecting the health of your citizens, and that of future generations, or industry profit?” WECF continued: “We understand that industry competitiveness is important and that there is strong competition and lobbying from the US industry and current governing administration to weaken the chemicals policy. However, you are first and foremost accountable to us, the citizens of Europe. Without a healthy population, what kind of future can Europe have?” The benefits of the proposed new system far outweigh the costs, WECF argues. Estimated costs to industry over 10 years were ‘in the range of one to seven billion euros’ – only about 0.1% of their annual turnover – compared to estimated health benefits. The occupational health benefits alone, would reach €18-54billion over 30 years. Taxpayers are the ones currently footing the healthcare bill for increasing rates of cancer, asthma, allergies, learning disabilities and neuro-developmental problems, all linked to pollution caused by the largely unregulated release of chemicals into the environment. “Women
are very concerned about the uncontrollable risks caused by the current
system of production and use of chemicals. The increased body burdens
of man-made toxic chemicals we now all carry constitutes a real threat
for human health. Additionally, pregnant women are of great concern, as
the safe development of the foetus in its most vulnerable phase is at
risk,” said Marie Kranendonk, president of WECF.
WECF asks them to support the strengthening of the chemicals policy and put the protection of human health at the top of their list of priorities. “The European chemical industry should be responsible for proving the safety of their products or they should not be on the market. It’s that simple. Our children are not their guinea pigs,” WECF added. “Instead of opposing REACH the chemical industry should embrace the new legislation… industries which lead the way to sustainability actually stand to profit from taking such a lead in the long run.” Sylvia Altamira, International Coordinator for WECF commented: "the three governments have just agreed on a deal, to invest €220.32 billion [£153bn] in research and development. They should direct as much of it as possible towards developing safer and sustainable chemicals so the citizens of Europe and the chemicals industry can all look forward to a healthier future." ENDS For
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