Eddie Koch
Senior Department of Trade and Industry officials have come under fire from the European Union (EU) for refusing to endorse a ban on the movement of toxic waste to developing nations because South Africa can treat and recycle hazardous materials.
This is despite repeated statements that the Cabinet is opposed to the international trade in industrial poisons.
Deputy Environment Minister Bantu Holomisa told the Mail & Guardian he was shocked to hear Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) officials refused to endorse article 39 of the Lome Convention, which imposes a complete ban on trade in hazardous and radioactive waste between European countries and ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) nations, during a round of trade talks last month.
A letter from Sabine Meyer, Green Party member of the European Parliament, addressed to local environmental organisations says the DTI negotiating team was “unhelpful” with efforts to control the toxic trade, and “is refusing to go along with article 39 … with the argument that it has the necessary facilities for the treatment of toxic waste”.
The EU, adds the letter, “is trying to convince the South African negotiators to at least accept no export to other ACP countries in the future. The commission imagines that South Africa might become the possible future main recipient of toxical [sic] waste from other African countries.”
Environmental groups fear a powerful local business lobby that favours trade in the lucrative hazardous waste industry is now teaming up with officials in the DTI — which falls under the control of the African National Congress’s Alec Erwin — who are showing increasing support for laissez-faire economic and trade policies.
Said Chris Albertyn, co-ordinator of the Environmental Justice Networking Forum: “We have just sat through a commission of inquiry that shows how the old government provided protection for Thor Chemicals, which brought masses of highly toxic material into this country.
“Now it would appear officials in the new government are still prone to providing opportunities for the business lobby that wants to trade in hazardous materials, even though the government and the ANC are on record as saying they are opposed to all imports of hazardous wastes.”
The DTI failed to respond to repeated requests from the M&G for clarity on its policy regarding trade in hazardous materials. Officials in the Erwin’s office were also unable to answer the queries.