REACH - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES TO PROTECT HEALTH (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

REACH - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES TO PROTECT HEALTH

November 17, 2005 12:00 AM

Attempts by chemical industry lobbyists to rip the guts out of proposals for the new chemicals safety regime were defeated by MEPs in Strasbourg today.

North East Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall, who has campaigned with WI members from the region in support of strong action to control chemicals in the environment, said:

"For too long we have been treating our planet like a giant chemistry set. Now Europe is taking steps in order to bring the situation under control and set safety standards for the world.

"Instead of waiting for science to expose the latest scandal, chemical companies will have to prove that their products are safe before they put them on the market.

"At the same time, MEPs have taken steps to lower the costs for industry of implementing REACH, by reducing the number of tests required to prove safety. But 99% of chemicals likely to pose a threat to health or the environment will still get identified.

"It's a good result for consumers, for the environment and for the chemicals industry."

The European Parliament's position is now very close to that being negotiated by the British Presidency in the Council of Ministers, bringing a final resolution into sight. British government officials today gave a warm welcome to the Parliament's position.