WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2736/98 by Christine ODDY to the Commission. Asbestos
C 135/108 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 14. 5. 1999 for consumers to distinguish table eggs produced in the Community and those produced in third countries and to be aware of the conditions under which the hens have been kept. With this system of labelling it is then up to the European consumers to choose the type of table eggs they prefer. (1) OJ C 123, 22. 4. 1998. (2) OJ L 173, 6. 7. 1990. (1999/C 135/128) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2736/98 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (1 September 1998) Subject: Asbestos Will the Commission urgently draw up proposals for a total ban on the import and manufacture of chrysotile (white) asbestos in view of the grave risk to health posed by the use of this substance which, together with other forms of asbestos, is responsible for the deaths of more than 3500 people every year in the United Kingdom alone? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 September 1998) There already exists a significant body of Community legislation which aims to protect the health of workers and the public from the health effects of asbestos. All types of asbestos fibres, except white (or chrysotile) asbestos, are already banned by current Community legislation. In addition, there is a ban on fourteen categories of products containing chrysotile and strict Community controls on exposure of workers to asbestos and on release of asbestos fibres to the environment. Even though much has already been accomplished, it is apparent that more now needs to be done to tighten up the Community legislation on the marketing and use of asbestos-containing products. There are now nine Member States which have introduced national bans on chrysotile which go beyond the current Community legislation. This represents a significant disruption to the internal market which requires a solution at Community level. Also, various national organisations, including the Health and safety executive in the United Kingdom, have made very disturbing projections about the numbers of deaths which are likely to be attributable to asbestos over the next few decades. However, it is important to note that these figures relate to past exposures to mixed asbestos types, including the fibres which have already been banned. It would be wrong to use these statistics alone to justify a ban on the marketing and use of chrysotile because such a ban would not lead to a lower risk of exposure for workers to asbestos which is already in place, nor would it reduce the number of deaths which are occurring today as a result of past exposure to asbestos. Possible contamination from asbestos in existing buildings (e. g. in relation to maintenance activities and asbestos removal operations) will remain an important cause of exposure to workers for many years. However, taking all the above into account, based on current scientific knowledge about the health risks of chrysotile asbestos, the Commission is preparing a draft proposal for a European-wide ban on chrysotile asbestos (with some exceptions and temporary derogations), which will be discussed with Member State experts in the near future. The details of the final draft will of course depend on those discussions, and on contacts with the Parliament, interest groups and on the outcome of continuing scientific considerations