MEP meets with REACH lobbyists
Members of the Yorkshire Women's Institute and WWF have met with Labour MEP Richard Corbett in York to discuss the European Union's proposals on the testing of chemicals.
Both the Women's Institute and the WWF have been lobbying intensely in favour of proposed European chemicals regulation, which intends to test virtually every chemical currently in use in Europe.
Richard said: "We all have dozens more chemicals in our bodies than our grandparents did, and at the same time cases of allergies and asthma have increased while sperm counts have dropped. Scientists have discovered this is because of the amount of chemicals we are exposed to every day.
"The purpose of REACH is to discover which ones have negative effects and limit their use. It will be an expensive process but will prevent further tragedies like asbestos. It is the European Union at its best. We will share the burden of the cost with other member states while Europe will become a healthier, safer and more environmentally friendly place to live as a consequence."
"The Women's Institute and WWF have lobbied brilliantly on this issue and it is a pleasure to work alongside groups with such a thorough understanding of how Europe can benefit them and the country in general." /ends
- You can read Richard's daily blog at www.richardcorbett.org.uk
- The Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation is due for its second reading in the European Parliament following the summer recess.
more information
Press enquiries: Contact Luke Thorne, Press and Communications Officer to Richard Corbett MEP
- phone 0113 245 8987
- e-mail luke@richardcorbett.org.uk
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