Text of European Parliament Written Declaration
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
20th September 2001
WRITTEN DECLARATION
pursuant to Rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure
by Charles TANNOCK, John BOWIS, Chris DAVIES, Jean LAMBERT, Peter SKINNER
for entry in the register
on asbestos-related fatalities
(signed:)
Charles Tannock John Bowis Chris Davies Jean Lambert Peter Skinner
The European Parliament
expresses concern that scientists predict that the total number of asbestos-related fatalities over the next thirty years in Western Europe could exceed 500,000;
welcomes the motion agreed by the European Asbestos Seminar on the 7th and 8th June 2001 which called for the establishment of local, national and international networks and accurate recording of the locations of asbestos;
recognises the work being done by asbestos victims’ groups, NGOs and social movements throughout Europe to improve the plight of asbestos victims;
therefore:
calls upon national governments of the Member States to develop and implement techniques for treating waste containing asbestos;
to end the use of asbestos for chlorine production;
to harmonise criteria for diagnosing asbestos-related diseases and procedures for claiming compensation ;
to share medical knowledge so that all sufferers of asbestos-related diseases have equal access to the most effective treatments.
Thus, instructs its President to forward this declaration to the Council of Ministers and The European Commission.