WWF-UK: How Green is your Blue?
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How Green is your Blue?
Friday 22 September 2006
David Cameron's new 'green' Conservatives are on the verge of failing in the first real test of their environmental credentials, WWF said today.
While the UK Conservative Party has the opportunity to swing a crucial European Parliament vote on toxic chemicals, it is currently promoting the interests of lobbyists from the chemicals industry, who are determined to protect profits rather than the environment and human health.
Mr Cameron has rebuilt the Conservative Party's reputation on the back of tough talk on the environment, but this first test of the strength of his determination will prove whether these words are genuine or merely rhetoric.
The new REACH legislation - which the EU has yet to finalise - was originally designed to protect human health and wildlife from hazardous man-made chemicals which appear in every-day products and have been associated with problems such as reproductive disorders, cancers, allergies and reduced IQ. But the chemicals industry has repeatedly lobbied to weaken this legislation.
Paul King, Director of campaigns for WWF-UK said: "We are very impressed with the passion that Mr Cameron has expressed so far for the protection of the environment. But, while he can clearly talk a good game here, a failure to ensure that REACH insists on the substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives - where they exist - will mean that he is no more than a paper-tiger. This must not happen, for the sake of human health, wildlife and Mr Cameron's reputation."
Mr Cameron has rebuilt the Conservative Party's reputation on the back of tough talk on the environment, but this first test of the strength of his determination will prove whether these words are genuine or merely rhetoric.
The new REACH legislation - which the EU has yet to finalise - was originally designed to protect human health and wildlife from hazardous man-made chemicals which appear in every-day products and have been associated with problems such as reproductive disorders, cancers, allergies and reduced IQ. But the chemicals industry has repeatedly lobbied to weaken this legislation.
Paul King, Director of campaigns for WWF-UK said: "We are very impressed with the passion that Mr Cameron has expressed so far for the protection of the environment. But, while he can clearly talk a good game here, a failure to ensure that REACH insists on the substitution of hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives - where they exist - will mean that he is no more than a paper-tiger. This must not happen, for the sake of human health, wildlife and Mr Cameron's reputation."
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