APPENDIX 15
Memorandum from the National Federation
of Women's Institutes
I am writing on behalf of the National Federation
of Women's Institutes (NFWI) to inform you of the NFWI's concerns
with regards to both the hazardous man-made chemicals that contaminate
humans and the environment, and our fear that the EU Chemicals
Regulation—in its current form—will fail to make a
meaningful impact on redressing this grave problem.
The NFWI is an educational, social, non-party
political and non-sectarian organisation. It is the largest women's
organisation in the UK, with some 230,000 members in 70 county
and island Federations throughout England and Wales, mainly in
rural areas. The NFWI policy is made democratically by the adoption
of resolutions at Annual Meetings.
As early as 1960 the NFWI passed a resolution
which stated that "this meeting is gravely concerned at the
risks associated with the use of highly poisonous sprays, insecticides
and weed killers and urges the Government to exercise more stringent
control over their use", and in 1962 a resolution was passed
stating that "this meeting asks the Government to speed research
into the effects on health of the increasing use of chemicals
in the production and processing of food and . . . all chemical
hazards to foodstuffs be kept under stricter control". In
1970 to address the discovery of the enormity of the threat posed
to the environment as a whole by chemicals (amongst other pollutants)
a resolution stating that "In view of the ever increasing
danger of man's whole environment, the members of the NFWI undertake
to do all they can to prevent further damage . . . and urges Government
to take immediate preventative and remedial action", was
passed. In 1980 a resolution was passed to take "All possible
action to avoid prenatal death and damage". Finally, in 1997
the NFWI passed a resolution calling for "Support for Agenda
21". These mandates have committed the NFWI to view the impact
of chemicals (as well as other pollutants) on health as one of
its highest priorities.
Since its inception the NFWI members have shown
concern for the welfare of children, and to reflect this a very
high number of the NFWI resolutions are dedicated to this issue.
At present the NFWI is running two campaigns relating to children's
health, one of which is our "Chemicals and Health" campaign
(run in conjunction with WWF-UK and The Co-operative Bank), which
is particularly concerned with the impact of chemicals on child
health.
Humans and animals the world over have been,
and continue to be, exposed to man-made industrial or agricultural
chemicals, and there is ever increasing evidence to suggest that
certain hazardous man-made chemicals have been linked to a rising
rate in certain cancers, birth defects, genital deformities and
reproductive problems. Early in pregnancy, exposure to solvents
and pesticides has been linked to miscarriage and birth defects.
Later in pregnancy, exposures to chemicals such as lead, mercury,
and PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have been linked to brain
damage. Exposure to air pollution raises the risk of low birth
weight. Exposure to PCBs can trigger premature labour as they
make the uterus more likely to contract. The fact that the unborn
child is particularly at risk from these chemicals supports a
system of regulation that is underpinned by the precautionary
approach.
The NFWI fully appreciates the valuable role
that chemicals play in our society with regards to both health
and economic benefits. However the NFWI believes that the chemicals
industry should in no way be dependant on chemical substances
that have the potential to harm humans, the planet or any of its
inhabitants.
To secure the objective of protecting human
health and the environment the NFWI supports the view that the
use of chemicals of very high concern, (including very persistent
and very bioaccumulative chemicals and endocrine disrupting chemicals),
should only be authorised when there is a no safer alternative,
and an overwhelming societal need, and measures to minimise exposure
are in place. Failure to ensure the substitution of chemicals
of high concern would mean that humans, wildlife, and the environment
as a whole would continue to be exposed to hazardous man-made
chemicals. Furthermore, it would not deliver a move away from
the worst chemicals, nor stimulate the innovation of safer alternatives.
The NFWI also believes that there should be public access to all
toxicity and risk assessment data so that people are able to take
precautions, as they see fit, to protect themselves and their
families.
The NFWI firmly believes that the UK Government
should be leading the way by supporting a robust EU Chemical Regulation,
which protects future generations of humans, wildlife and the
environment as a whole. A regulation that encourages the phase
out of the most hazardous chemicals is the most assured method
of achieving this goal. In addition to this response the NFWI
endorses the response by WWF-UK to the Science And Technology
Committee's inquiry on the EU Chemicals Legislation.[35]
On behalf its members, the NFWI urges the UK
Government to prioritise public health (particularly the health
of children who have an increased sensitivity to the effects of
chemical contamination), our wildlife and the environment by demonstrating
a meaningful commitment to a robust EU Chemical Regulation which
incorporates the substitution principle, and phases out the most
harmful chemicals where safer alternatives exist. The NFWI also
asks that the UK Government use its leverage within the EU to
push other key member states to support a similarly robust position.
January 2004
35 In supporting this document, the NFWI is indicating
its formal agreement only in those areas where it has specific
competence, and policy. At the same time, it acknowledges the
expertise and authority of WWF-UK in its respective field. In
addition, NFWI endorses the general principles outlined at the
beginning of the document on the human and environmental benefits
that a robust EU Chemical Regulation (as outlined in the body
of the document) will bring to society as a whole. Back
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