European Parliament Endorses Asbestos Seminar

European Parliament Endorses Asbestos Seminar
Written Declaration
Resolution: European Asbestos Seminar

European Parliament Endorses Asbestos Seminar

On October 15, 2001 a Written Declaration⁽¹⁾ submitted to the European Parliament acknowledged the work and conclusions of the European Asbestos Seminar (EAS). The meetings which comprised the EAS took place in Brussels on June 7 & 8, 2001; the event was organised by The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat and The Belgian Asbestos Victims' Group (ABEVA). Dr. Charles Tannock and Peter Skinner, UK Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), issued the declaration which encouraged national governments to:

• develop and implement techniques for treating waste containing asbestos
• end the use of asbestos for chlorine production
• harmonise the criteria for diagnosing asbestos-related diseases and compensation procedures
• share medical knowledge to that all sufferers of asbestos-related diseases
• gain equal access to the most effective treatments

The MEPs recognised the "work being done by asbestos victims' groups, NGOs and social movements throughout Europe to improve the plight of asbestos victims." It is hoped that this statement will help increase the visibility of groups struggling to assist Europe's asbestos victims. Parliamentary interest in the work of these under-funded and largely unseen groups is essential if Western Europe is to cope with the 500,000 asbestos deaths which epidemiologists predict will occur in the current thirty year period.

The value of the EAS has also been acknowledged by other European authorities. A letter from the office of the European Union's Commissioner of Employment and Social Affairs, Mrs. Anna Diamantopoulou, stated that the event "held in Brussels in June 2001 has to be considered as one of the most important organised during the recent years: the resolution adopted which covers issues of different policies is a matter to be considered by various institutions or organisations." Mario Tereiro, Head of Unit A/3 Judicial Cooperation in Civil Matters read the EAS resolution "with a great interest." He stated that "concerning the question of compensation of crime victims, we are preparing a Green Paper that will be published in early autumn." The EAS resolution has also been acknowledged by Commissioners John Bell and Philippe Busquin, Members of the European Commission Cabinet.

Previously (June 26, 2001) an Early Day Motion (EDM34) had been tabled by Michael Clapham, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health; it was supported by sixty-nine MPs . It welcomed "the motion agreed by the European Asbestos Seminar, which calls for the establishment of local, national and international networks, accurate recording of the location of asbestos, development and implementation of techniques for treating waste containing asbestos, an end to the use of asbestos for chlorine production, the harmonisation of criteria for diagnosing asbestos-related diseases and compensation procedures ad shared medical knowledge to give all sufferers of asbestos-related diseases equal access to the most effective treatments."

Revised October 17, 2001

¹ Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) in the European and UK Parliaments are able to flag issues of special importance by use of devices known as Written Declarations and Early Day Motions (EDM). The contents and popularity of these documents are part of a procedure for gauging political interest in specific issues. Parliamentarians are encouraged to express their opinions by adding their signatures to these petitions.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

20th September 2001   

WRITTEN DECLARATION 

pursuant to Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure

by Charles TANNOCK, John BOWIS, Chris DAVIES, Jean LAMBERT, Peter SKINNER 

for entry in the register
on asbestos-related fatalities

signed:

Charles Tannock  
John Bowis  
Chris Davies  
Jean Lambert 
Peter Skinner

The European Parliament

• expresses concern that scientists predict that the total number of asbestos-related fatalities over the next thirty years in Western Europe could exceed 500,000;
• welcomes the motion agreed by the European Asbestos Seminar on the 7th and 8th June 2001 which called for the establishment of local, national and international networks and accurate recording of the locations of asbestos;
• recognises the work being done by asbestos victimsÕ groups, NGOs and social movements throughout Europe to improve the plight of asbestos victims;

therefore: 

• calls upon national governments of the Member States to develop and implement techniques for treating waste containing asbestos;
• to end the use of asbestos for chlorine production; 
• to harmonise criteria for diagnosing asbestos-related diseases and procedures for claiming compensation;
• to share medical knowledge so that all sufferers of asbestos-related diseases have equal access to the most effective treatments.
• Thus, instructs its President to forward this declaration to the Council of Ministers and The European Commission.

Resolution: European Asbestos Seminar

Preamble:

Although the European Union has adopted directives to ban the use of all types of asbestos by 2005, scientists predict that the total number of asbestos-related fatalities in the coming thirty years could exceed five hundred thousand in Western Europe alone. The origin of the asbestos exposure is predominantly occupational. However, asbestos-related fatalities from environmental sources of exposure can be significant. In view of the rising number of asbestos victims, the delegates to the European Asbestos Seminar held at the European Parliament on 7 & 8 June, 2001 wish to make the following recommendations to the European Commission, the European Parliament and governments of Member States.

Regarding the Politics of Prevention:

• the support of local, national and international networks for the identification and recording of sources of occupational and environmental asbestos exposure; the provision of practical and financial assistance for work undertaken to compile an inventory of these sources;
• the timely provision to people at risk of accurate information on the presence and hazards of asbestos and asbestos products;
• the rejection of proposals intended to raise the current level of acceptable concentration of asbestos in waste material;
• the development and implementation of techniques for treatment of asbestos-containing waste;
• the rejection of present or future exemptions on the use of asbestos such as the current derogation permitting the continued use of asbestos for chlorine production.

Regarding Victims' Rights:

• the harmonisation of criteria for the identification and compensation of asbestos-related diseases caused by occupational and environmental exposure;
• the study of inter-country legislative differences regarding legal responsibility for asbestos-related diseases.

Regarding New Research Priorities:

Regarding Double Standards:

Conclusion:

The Seminar acknowledges the pivotal role of asbestos victims' groups in improving the plight of asbestos victims and strongly urges cooperation with these groups, other social movements and NGOs working in this field as is the practice of the United Nations. We stress the necessity and urgency of funding for projects intended to improve the situation of asbestos victims.

It is clear that many East European countries have problems relating to the unregulated and continuing use of asbestos. We strongly recommend that steps be taken to evaluate the extent of these problems.

Outside the established market economies, exposure to asbestos is a significant occupational and environmental hazard. This observation was confirmed by Indian and Brazilian representatives at the Seminar. As there is no 'safe threshold,' any exposure/contact with asbestos can cause fatal lung disease including cancer. Increasing efforts to market asbestos in the developing world are being made by the international asbestos industry. It is imperative that every possible effort be made to provide objective scientific information on the hazards of asbestos and the availability of safer alternatives to the countries which have not banned asbestos. In addition, research to quantify past and current asbestos use and production should be commissioned; this information should be disseminated to all 'at risk' populations.

The EU countries which have not yet banned asbestos, Luxembourg, Greece and Portugal, should be urged to do so immediately.