§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given in the WTO to extending the market access of Canadian chrysotile asbestos; and what is the United Kingdom's policy on this issue. [104661]
§ Mr. Caborn[holding answer 17 January 2000]: Canada has brought dispute settlement action in the WTO to challenge the French ban on imports and use of chrysotile asbestos. A final report by the WTO Dispute Settlement Panel is expected in May. Since the French ban was introduced, the UK and the EU have conducted further scientific analysis and have also taken action to ban the import of chrysotile asbestos on health grounds. The UK action came into affect on 24 November 1999. The EU requires all member states to have similar action by 1 January 2005. A number of specialised safety-critical uses are temporarily permitted until safe substitutes have been developed.