Environmental, women’s, labour and health groups around the world call for action to save the Rotterdam Convention
U.N. Environmental Convention is being endangered by political and industry interference
12.03.2008 |WECF Press Release
2008 is the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Rotterdam Convention, whose purpose is to protect human health and the environment by controlling international trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides. But instead of celebrating, a large number of environmental, women, labour and health groups are sounding the alarm at the meeting of the Convention’s Chemical Review Committee, taking place in Geneva right now.
The representatives from environmental, women’s, health and labour groups are challenging several countries to stop their irresponsible conduct and stop the industry interference in the spread of dangerous asbestos to several countries in the world.
Industry interference and political sabotage by a handful of countries, led by Canada, are strangling the Rotterdam Convention, say these groups from Asia, Africa, South and North America and Europe. Because of this interference, no new listing of a hazardous product under the Convention has been possible for the past four years and the groups are concerned that progress at meetings planned for this year will likewise be blocked.
Download: Press Release in English and Russian
