Document 5L0ydpz6z34Lpd5MVknd4vp7D

FILE NAME: Asbestos International Association (AINT) DATE: 2000 Nov 2 DOC#: AINT017 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Memo RE Declaration ofVancouver [Asbestos Decree to Ban the Use and Import ofAsbestos in Chile] [Note - Many originals are on legal size paper so text looks small when reprinted on 8.5x11 paper] Jliia.lHNNHblihernandd 83d The Asbestos International Association for environmental aod occupational health November 2f*, 2000 To Alt A!A Member Associations All AIA Governing Council Members AIA Fvanutive Committee Members A CPPA Members Others De/From : Clement Godbout S ubject: Declaration of Vancouver Greetings: Attached for your information is a copy of the Declaration o f Vancouver, signed by the Ministers and Heads of Delegation, o f the participating countries at the Fifth Annual conference of the Mining Ministries of the Americas, last October, 2000. This is a very important document, as it reaffirm * the commitment of these countries to the controlled-use approach to minerals and metals. Also enclosed for your information is a briefing note on the situation in Chile, which we are monitoring very closely. ' Best regards. p m b 114. 1235 JaMansn Davis I Iwy. Arlington, VA SSSC6 USA Tol (514)061-1153 fte ($14)001-1162 4e M li)K O tfe.c an m o ,, status (R oster) wtttt tt econom ic and Social Counoil o f th e U nited N otions 02/21/00 11:14 TX/RX NO.0137 P.003 FI M s G I R N H R S I F e r n a n d a < 5 5 -1 1 > 5 0 8 3 -3 8 3 0 PRGE: 04 A sbestos. z-Pasrce t<? ban *hff use a n d im p o rt o f a sb e sto s in C hile Issue T h * M inister o f Health of Chile has decided to issue a decree that would totally ban the Import and use o f asbestos in Chile. The Decree is now before President Lagos for his consideration and approval. Background In the last couple o f years, the Chilean Government has been under pressure to implement an asbestos ban. The M inister o f Environment indicated a few times its intent to follow the European Union example in that matter. In June 2000, the Chilean Ministry o f Housing and Urban Development decided to ban asbestos-cement products from its social housing programs, covering approximately 20,000 housing units a year. Given the importance of its natural resources sector, C hile, like Canada, has always been a strong supporter o f the safa use prlnofple in various fora such as the Annual Mines Ministries of the Americas Conference. This principle calls for the controlled use of minerals and m etals like chrysotile asbestos or Copper. The Canadian mission in Santiago facilitated two m issions from the Asbestos institute In May and August 2000 to discuss the application of the safe use principle to chrysotile asbestos. On July 31st, the Canadian Ambassador to Chile sent a letter to the M inister ot Health conveying the Canadian position on asbestos and requesting meetings w ith Asbestos Institute officials before any final decision is made on C hile's policy regarding asbestos. Senator Raymond Setlakwe raised ou r concerns on asbestos with the Chilean Government during his mission to Chile from October 8 to 15 The Canadian chrysotile asbestos industry sends 19 % of its exports to Latin American countries. Brazil, Colombia, and Mexioo are the main Importers of Canadian chrysotile. W hile Chile is not an im portant export market fo r Canadian chrysotile (360,000 $ of exports in 1999. down from 2 million $ In 1998), if it proceeds with banning asbestos it could influence other countries In Latin Am erica to follow suit. ; 02/21/00 11:14 TX/RX NO.0137 P.004 POSE: 05 FR AN 9 AIS Ejm cum 02/21/00 11:14 TX/RX NO.0137 P.005 <55-11> 5 0 8 3 -3 8 3 0 POSE: 06 T nW rt<l n t rt* We understand that, under pressure from lbs internatiMri Mbsmos Zcon^ce^rneodrth-a^t anS oeutbrignhtdbaintoofmasebeeshtorsy, eaonUattuora^lel"ybesntednc-e,will .t a precedent for the banning of other commodities such as aluminum, copper or nickel. Cwoouulldd wIme pah_laevmeeannt a,,uu,,poHdhnattanebooannntt?hnee ststu* of th D oerse that An n member ot the Annual MiTM Ministries of tbeAmedgee ^ - " T e i^ e r z j domed this prlnelpl. In 1998 hen he at this year's conference to Vnncouver,October4-6, i00. scientific evidence do not Modem W ^eould b e ^ L s tl to provide you ^ S delegation to travelto Chile to discuss the ime With Cbdean officials. C h rysotils asbestos. 02/21/00 11:14 TX/RX NO.0137 P.006