WWF-UK: Cameron forces Tory U-turn on chemicals
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Cameron forces Tory U-turn on chemicals
Sunday 1 October 2006
Tory Leader David Cameron has made a dramatic change in Conservative policy today and a landmark commitment protecting people and the environment from harmful man-made chemicals, WWF said today.
In his first conference speech as leader of the Conservatives, Mr Cameron insisted that his party would vote to ensure chemicals that may harm people and the environment will be replaced with safer ones where they exist.
The Conservatives' change of direction to support this policy may well alter the result of a key EU vote. On October 10th Mr Cameron's MEPs will show their support for their leaders' new stance on the REACH legislation, and by doing so could tip the balance making it likely that the production and sale of man-made toxic chemicals will be more tightly controlled.
WWF has been pushing for a strong REACH - which stands for Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals - since it was devised, but massive lobbying by the chemicals industry has progressively weakened the legislation.
Paul King, Director of Campaigns for WWF-UK said: "We have criticised the Conservatives on this issue in the past, but this is a bold move that deserves praise. Mr Cameron's support for a strong REACH shows a commitment to supporting innovative business, but not at the expense of human health or the environment."
Mr Cameron was taken to the Arctic by WWF in April this year to see the impacts of chemical contamination and climate change for himself. WWF believes this visit was instrumental in helping to move the Conservatives from their previous weaker position.
Cameron said: "When WWF took me to the Arctic I was able to talk to scientists not just about the threat of climate change but also about the threat of toxic chemicals. Many of the chemicals found in products we use on a daily basis can be hazardous to the environment, wildlife and even to our health. The scientists told me that the Arctic in particular is where many of these chemicals end up because they are carried there in ocean and air currents. Many scientists think that chemicals are affecting the reproductive and immune systems of iconic wildlife species such as polar bears and whales. Even people living in the Arctic are being harmed by these chemicals babies' immune systems are being weakened."
The Conservatives' change of direction to support this policy may well alter the result of a key EU vote. On October 10th Mr Cameron's MEPs will show their support for their leaders' new stance on the REACH legislation, and by doing so could tip the balance making it likely that the production and sale of man-made toxic chemicals will be more tightly controlled.
WWF has been pushing for a strong REACH - which stands for Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals - since it was devised, but massive lobbying by the chemicals industry has progressively weakened the legislation.
Paul King, Director of Campaigns for WWF-UK said: "We have criticised the Conservatives on this issue in the past, but this is a bold move that deserves praise. Mr Cameron's support for a strong REACH shows a commitment to supporting innovative business, but not at the expense of human health or the environment."
Mr Cameron was taken to the Arctic by WWF in April this year to see the impacts of chemical contamination and climate change for himself. WWF believes this visit was instrumental in helping to move the Conservatives from their previous weaker position.
Cameron said: "When WWF took me to the Arctic I was able to talk to scientists not just about the threat of climate change but also about the threat of toxic chemicals. Many of the chemicals found in products we use on a daily basis can be hazardous to the environment, wildlife and even to our health. The scientists told me that the Arctic in particular is where many of these chemicals end up because they are carried there in ocean and air currents. Many scientists think that chemicals are affecting the reproductive and immune systems of iconic wildlife species such as polar bears and whales. Even people living in the Arctic are being harmed by these chemicals babies' immune systems are being weakened."
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