Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-04-10-Speech-3-211"
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"en.20020410.7.3-211"2
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"Mr President, we all know that asbestos is one of the biggest threats of all to the health of workers in the EU. It is estimated, as a previous speaker has also said, that getting on for half a million deaths over the next 35 years will be directly linked to the serious illnesses caused by asbestos. The history of asbestos and the debate we have had about it show, in my view, how incredibly important it is that we take the precautionary principle seriously. For many years, asbestos was used without a thought for the harmful effects it might have and, as a precise consequence of this, the asbestos problem will dog us for many years to come. The proposal tabled by the Commission will ensure better protection of workers who are in danger of being exposed to asbestos in the course of their work, and it is on the whole a really sound proposal. The proposal reduces the limit value for the number of asbestos particles to which workers may be exposed. In view, however, of the danger presented by asbestos, it is good that the rapporteur try to have the limit value reduced further. What is crucial is that the employer be obliged to provide a relevant training programme for everyone at risk of being exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. Workers must be clear about how to protect themselves and others. In accordance with the Commission’s proposal, common guidelines concerning the content of the training programme must be set up, and these must be as precise and exhaustive as possible. I should like today to call upon the Member States to go still further and set up proper, formal training schemes for working with asbestos.
I would also comment on the ban on asbestos. The 1999 directive bans chrysotile, which is the last type of asbestos it is permitted to use. The total ban on all use and marketing of asbestos is to be implemented in all the Member States from January 2005. I learn, however, that it is apparently uncertain whether the ban also applies to the export of asbestos to countries outside the EU. If the ban is indeed uncertain, the problem should be tackled. It would be ethically quite wrong if the EU were to export asbestos for use in third countries. It would be contrary to all the principles on the basis of which we normally proceed. I do not know how we are to approach the matter legally. I will adopt a political approach to the matter, and I should like to take the opportunity to ask the Commissioner to give an account today of the Commission’s interpretation of this problem. Is it uncertain whether the 1999 directive does in fact ban exports to countries outside the EU? It would be interesting to be given an answer to that question. I also wish finally to say a big thank-you to the rapporteur, who has done an incredible amount of work to get this report up and running. I am entirely in favour of the report."@en1
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