The issue of Chrysotile Asbestos is currently being discussed at the Conference of Parties to the Rotterdam Convention in Geneva. In the past, countries with vested interests – in particular large asbestos producers – have blocked its listing on grounds of unanimity.
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BWI affiliates in India have strongly petitioned the Indian Government to support the listing of Chrysotile Asbestos in the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
On top of this, BWI affiliates in India have written to the Indian Government to support the proposal submitted by several African nations for a new procedure that addresses the current impasse. According to that proposal, in the absence of a consensus amongst all parties, a substance could be listed if a super-majority (i.e. 75%) of the Parties voting supported that action.
According to Pon Kumar, President of TKTMS “Chrysotile Asbestos trade has continued uncontrolled and it is high time that importing countries get to know the damaging ramifications of its continued usage. Listing of Chrysotile Asbestos in the Prior Informed Consent by all means shall bring in fairness in the trade of this deadly substance”.
Supporters are encouraged to sign the petition to support the amendment to the voting system and have chrysotile asbestos listed here.