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<title>CANADA URGES BRITAINTO WEIGH ASBESTOS FACTS</title>
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<p><font face="Courier"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2"></font><font face="Univers" size="+2">August 18, 1998 No. 192</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">CANADA URGES BRITAIN</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Univers" size="+2">TO WEIGH ASBESTOS FACTS</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi and Natural Resources Minister Ralph
Goodale today urged British health authorities to weigh objectively the evidence
favouring safe use of chrysotile asbestos in industrial products.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Ministers were responding to the decision by the British government to
initiate public consultations following completion of a British health department
report comparing health risks of asbestos with substitute materials.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We are not opposed to better clarifying how the mineral can be safely used,
thereby providing greater market certainty," said Mr. Marchi. "But we are
concerned that these consultations may lead to unnecessarily restrictive measures
that would reduce access of Canadian asbestos to British or other European
markets. We will ensure that Canadian views are heard clearly as the process
unfolds."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Ministers said that Canada's views concerning chrysotile asbestos have been
conveyed to the British government and will be further elaborated during the
consultations.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">"We would welcome an objective review of the facts," said Mr. Goodale. "The
scientific evidence clearly indicates that chrysotile asbestos can be used safely,
under controlled conditions, and brings valuable benefits to society."</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Prime Minister Chrétien has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair welcoming a full
exchange of scientific information between governments.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The U.K. consultations were requested by the British Health and Safety Commission,
based on their view that recent scientific findings suggest there are fewer health
risks associated with substitute products. To date, neither the European Union nor
Canada has concluded that substitute fibres are any safer than chrysotile
asbestos.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Canada advocates the safe-use principle for the management of minerals and metals
at each stage of their life cycle. This risk-based management approach involves
the use of regulations to control and minimize potential risks to human health or
the environment.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">The Government of Canada has worked closely in partnership with the asbestos
mining industry, unions, communities and the Government of Quebec and will
continue to do so. Most of the $224 million Canadian asbestos mining industry is
located in Quebec.</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Leslie Swartman</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Jim Lévêque</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Natural Resources Canada</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 992-4447</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
<p><font face="Courier">This document is also available on the Department's Internet site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca</font></p>
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