GAIA Statement on Toxic Waste Trade
The participants of the 2007 GAIA Global Meeting,
Affirm the inalienable human right of all individuals to life and to the enjoyment of a healthy environment,
Mindful of the serious risk of damage to human health and the environment caused by hazardous wastes and their trade, and toxic technologies such as incinerators,
Gravely concerned that toxic waste and technology transfer from developed countries such as Japan, to developing countries under the guise of Economic Partnership Agreements or other free trade agreements, runs contrary to our vision and ongoing work towards a caring and just society free of waste and toxics.
We hereby call for:
- Developing country governments to refuse the ratification of or enter into negotiation of toxic treaties such as the Japanese Economic Partnership Agreements, and similar free trade agreements until all listings of toxic technology and internationally controlled or banned wastes and substances are expunged from the coverage of such treaties.
- Japan, the Philippines, and other nations that have not done so, must ratify the Basel Convention's Ban Amendment at the earliest possible date and implement national bans on toxic waste trade.
- and other wastes at source via toxics use reductions, stopping planned obsolescence of products, and holding manufacturers accountable for the products they produce, rather than seeking hiding places for wastes.Governments should embark on a serious program to prevent hazardous waste generation.
We resolve to carry out and pursue the following actions:
- Conduct research to probe on toxic waste and technology transfer in our countries, particularly in developing countries, and their impacts to community health, economy and environment.
- Link with concerned people's organization and movements working on globalization and other sound issues to facilitate information sharing, joint action, and monitoring of developed country efforts to export toxic waste and other wastes to Asia and other developing nations.
- Organize a public disclosure campaign that will compel our governments, especially to divulge and open up, for peoples' scrutiny and participation, trade and investment negotiations with developed nations such as Japan that touch upon toxic substances, wastes, and technology.
- Counter developed country waste colonization by launching regionally coordinated action against any form of toxic waste and technology transfer.
