Madam, - It was most interesting to read Samuel Loewenberg's examination of the chemical industry's intense lobbying against the EU's proposed chemicals legislation known as "Reach" (Agenda, January 16th).
Friends of the Earth has been calling for an effective piece of legislation that will ensure the protection of human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals. We have witnessed how vested interests in the chemicals industry have tried to undermine the legislation at every turn. The industry's cost-related concerns, however, are in stark contrast to the potential benefits. Former Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom estimated the likely workplace benefits of good legislation included 2,200 to 4,300 fewer cancer cases annually with health savings amounting to between €18 billion and €54 billion over 30 years. The benefits to society would be immeasurable.
The Irish public is entitled to ask why the Reach legislation, as amended, is now closer to industry demands than to the original Commission proposal, and why most Irish MEPs, with notable exceptions such as Proinsias De Rossa, Marian Harkin, Mary Lou McDonald and Kathy Sinnott, voted to water it down. At the Council of Ministers Ireland has consistently favoured industry concerns over consumer protection.
The legislative process still has some way to go. We know there is one thing that politicians respond to even more quickly then backroom lobbying and that is voters on the doorsteps. For those who would like to ensure that the everyday products we use are free of hazardous chemicals there is still time to make their voices heard. - Yours, etc,
PAUL CORBETT, Friends of the Earth, Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.