Outraged civil society groups attending the Rotterdam Convention conference in Geneva in May 2013 have said the convention was hijacked by industry interests. For the fourth time, a handful of countries allied to the asbestos industry refused to allow chrysotile asbestos to be added to the Convention’s list of hazardous substances that require exporters to obtain ‘prior informed consent’ from the importer. Listing of the pesticide paraquat was also blocked.

RightOnCanada news release. IBAS news report. Joint news release by the Berne Declaration, PAN, IPEN and IUF. Risks 605.