Don't let fear of uncertainty strangle economic progress, business
tells governments
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| Barking up the wrong tree |
Paris, 6 December 2002 - Governments should guard against excessive health or environmental precautions that stifle trade, economic development and technological progress, the world's leading business organization said today.
The International Chamber of Commerce said in a statement: "The identification and evaluation of risks associated with new and existing products and technologies should rely on sound science-based risk assessment principles and high quality data and evaluation."
The statement was issued against the background of growing business concern at such moves as the European Union's restrictions on hormone-treated beef and the campaign against genetically-modified food that has kept food aid out of famine-stricken regions of Africa.
The statement said: "The responsibility remains with governments to ensure that precautionary risk-management measures they take in circumstances of uncertainty involve scientifically substantiated threats to health or the environment." Such measures should as far as possible avoid restricting trade and be taken only after full consideration of their negative impact on economic development and social and environm
ental well-being.
Issued on behalf of thousands of ICC member companies throughout the world, the statement suggested that governments should be more willing to call in business know-how when evaluating risk.
"Understanding risk and dealing with uncertainty through appropriate risk management are basic tenets of sound business operations, management and business principles, reflecting the commitment of business to integrate environmental protection and health into its practices and product stewardship," ICC said.
"It is therefore important that stakeholders and negotiators recognize the expertise of the private sector, enabling all parties to manage potential risks effectively."
ICC said government decisions should be based on scientific evaluation rather than "political expediency driven by unsubstantiated fears or biases."
The statement, distributed to governments by ICC national committees throughout the world, said: "The imposition of unnecessary restrictions on trade and innovation and divergence from sound science and risk principles is unacceptable to business."
Click here for full ICC statement