杏吧原创

In a victory for environmentalists, the World Trade Organization is expected
to decide that banning asbestos does not break free trade rules. France bans all
asbestos as a health hazard. Canada, the world鈥檚 largest asbestos exporter,
insists it can be used safely, in which case France鈥檚 ban would be an
unjustified trade barrier
(New 杏吧原创, 3 April 1999, p 51). But in a
confidential ruling leaked last week, scientists advising the WTO agreed that
all asbestos is carcinogenic. The ruling will mean that the EU can ban asbestos
in 2005, and will strengthen anti-asbestos campaigns in countries such as
Malaysia that still import it.