EU must not turn Brazil into the world's tires dump

Geneva / Sao Paulo, 5th July 2006 – Brazil may become the tires dump for the developed world, if WTO will accept the complaint introduced by the European Union against Brazil’s decision to restrict import or re-treaded tires. As the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization is discussing the case this week (July 5-7), a coalition of NGOs including Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movement for Environment and Development (FBOMS), Brazilian Network of Environmental Justice (RBJA), Conectas Human Rights, Greenpeace Brazil and WWF Brazil asks the European Union to revise its position and withdraw the complaint.

While continuing to import new tires, since 1991 Brazil has prohibited the import of used and re-treaded tires to avoid the unnecessary generation of additional waste, accumulation and disposal, which may represent a danger to public health and a severe environmental toll for present and future generations. Following this decision, the EU, which exports 39.478 tons of its retreaded tires and 138.206 of its used tires in 2005, has decided to bring the case before the WTO.

The NGOs coalition believes that this case would significantly weaken the multilateral environmental agreements such as the Basel Convention on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) vis-à-vis WTO rules.

“This is in stark contrast to the EU’s public stance on trade and environment. By bringing this case to the WTO, the EU is signaling to the rest of the world that its defense of the environment at the WTO is opportunistic and secondary to its commercial interests”, says Karen Suassuna, from WWF Brazil.

While Brazil actively promotes retreading of tyres it consumes, EU countries retread very few used tyres (Italy retreads 14 per cent, Germany, 11 per cent, Belgium and Sweden 4 per cent, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia do not retread at all).

Tires disposal present a serious danger to public health, as when stockpiled for disposal, they create the perfect breeding environment for the mosquito that carries dengue fever as well as a significant risk for the spread of yellow fever, malaria, and other related problems. Incineration raises health risks by contributing to the development of illnesses such as cancer, brain lesions, anemia, endocrine disorders, asthma and diabetes.

“The WTO should take into account the relevant human rights obligations of their members. In this case, Brazil’s obligations to ensure free and full exercise of the right to health” says Juana Kweitel, from Conectas Human Rights.

By re-treading tires (replacing the worn-out tread with a new tread), Brazil reduces the number of new tires that must be made and ultimately disposed of. But unlike new tires, passenger car retreads - nearly all of the EU exports - cannot be retreaded again and must be collected and disposed after a single use.

“The EU should give an example to the world on health and environmental responsability and accountability and handle their own waste. Shipping waste tyres to Brazil or any other developing country is a dumping practice disgised as recycling. We have enough waste problems in Brazil and there is no need for the EU to contribute to our waste crisis” state Marcelo Furtado from Greenpeace Brazil.

On the other hand, as the EU has passed legislation (Landfill Directive -1993/31/EC) that prohibits the storage and disposal of used tires in landfills after July 2006, more than 80 million tires annually previously placed in European landfills must now find another destination. It is clear that the EU considers the exportation of retreated tires the solution to avoid disposal and treatment within EU borders.

“EU is not considering this case under environmental protection and health perspectives, despite claiming to defend these values in the WTO” aid Temistocles Marcelos, Coordinator of Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for the Environment and Development (FBOMS).

“Brazil should not be forced to accept something that will contribute to cause more environmental and health risks to the country” added Clarisse Castro, from the Secretariat of the Brazilian Network for the Peoples Integration (REBRIP).

Representatives form the Brazilian Forum of NGOs and Social Movements for Environment and Development (FBOMS) will be present in front of the WTO building in Geneva during the WTO panel meeting from the 5th to the 7th of July, and will deliver to the WTO a petitions signed by more then 80 different NGOS from 23 countries.