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HazNews, No. 150 WASHINGTON D.C., January/February 2001 -- To settle a lawsuit filed by health and environmental lobby groups in 2000, the Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Department of Commerce have agreed to appoint one environmental representative to the all-industry Chemical Industrial Sector Advisory Committee (ISAC3). This committee advises the US Government on chemical trade related matters. The decision has been challenged by the chaires of the committee who want the court ruling overturned and the appointment blocked. Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, US Government advisory committees must represent a fair balance of viewpoints. In November 1999 a court ruling found in favour of environmentalists who challenged the 'industry only' composition of the paper and wood products committee and the Government was ordered to appoint environmental representatives. ISAC3 comprises only chemical industry executives and so environmental groups asked the Government to add environmentalists to this committee too. The Government refused and a further lawsuit was filed. When the Government agreed to settle, the chemical industry committee objected. "This is not just a silly test of wills," says Jim Puckett, from the Asia Pacific Environmental Exchange. "The global impact of increased consumption of harmful chemicals, and implementation of a more precautionary approach to chemical use would not be addressed where such committees operate under "conflicted interests," he said. FAIR USE NOTICE. This document contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Basel Action Network is making this article available in our efforts to advance understanding of ecological sustainability and environmental justice issues. We believe that this constitutes a `fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond `fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. More News |