---

Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mr. Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice he has given farmers on alternatives to white asbestos construction products used specifically for the purposes of fire prevention and insulation in farm buildings; and what assessment has been made of the safety of these alternatives. [176651] Jane Kennedy: Centrally the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has consulted with representatives of the farming community, including the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Rural, Agricultural and Allied Workers section of the TGWU, on issues relating to asbestos through the Health in Agriculture Group which was set up in 1997. Guidance on asbestos is also included in the HSE guide to health and safety on farms `Farmwise'. The NFU have also produced specific guidance on asbestos for their members, upon which HSE commented. In order to inform the debate on the banning of white asbestos, and on behalf of the EC's Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment, HSE commissioned the Institute of Environment and Health to carry out a review comparing the risks from white asbestos with other materials that could be used as alternatives. This concluded that the physical properties of a range of alternative materials led to the conclusion that appropriate substitutes for chrysotile asbestos should be used. The findings were endorsed by the EC committee as well as the Department of Health's committee on carcinogenicity.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

176651; 422 c7W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Buildings Asbestos Health and safety Farms Fire prevention Insulation Materials Safety

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk