El medio ambiente en la minería

31 GARVNASH industry. JCME will also be dealing with this subject in its planned publication on full cast pricing. Oearly, given the faet that few products, processes or human activities don't have environmental consequences, opportunities abound for government policies and regulations to affeet international lrade. This, combined with the growth of regional trading blocs, whether the EC, NAFrA or a Japan-based Asia-Pacific region, can exacerbate potential trade problems. All of the aboye leads me to suggest that the answer resides in strengthening the GAIT and in the increasing use ofmulti-Iateral environmental agreements. However, both of tbese approaches require sorne qualification.1f the answers líe at the multi-laterallevel, tben discipline in the development ofenvironmen– tal agreements is required. While international agreements have the potential to provide for common policies in support of environmentaJ objeetives, it is aIso imperative, bowever, that greater lechnical, trade and legal expertise aIso be present during their creation. Moreover, much more analysis, particularIyquantitative, needs to be availabIe to negotiators to allow a better understanding of environmental and economic casts and benefits, and trade consequences. As you may be aware, tbe GAIT accepts the right oC nations to establish health, sanitary and other standards for goods sold in their markets. Generally speak– ing, GAIT Article XX provides for the right to establishmeasures necessary lo proteet human, animal and plant life or health, and for the conservation of exhaustible natural resources. While the GAIT Standards Code provides for notification, consultation and for dispute settlement, it does not clarify the meaning of "necessary" or justifiablemeasures. Thus, theworkof the UruguayRound NegotiatingGroup becomes extremely important, since it is examining the code in the context oC the GAIT Committee on Technical Barriers. In conclusion, international environmental agreements can help mirumize trade protectionism associated with national and regional environmental poIicies, but onIy if there is a more precise internationally-agreed framework of procedural and substantive criteria that govem the development of such agreements. For trading blocs and the world, it is essential that environmental agreements do not create unnecessary trade barriers. SecondIy, the GAIT Standards Code needs lo be tightened lo address regulations based on those agreements lo better address whether or not they are acting as unnecessary barriers to trade. In my view, these are maltees of urgency~ For a resource exporting country like Chile, 1 believe it is crucial that the Chilean government musl, with the support of its industry, continue to par-