El medio ambiente en la minería

45 ALENA SINDELAR environmental problems in the absence of appropriate domestic environmen– tal policies. Conceivably, an expansion of trade could produce negative en– vironmental effects that can outweigh the conventional benefits of open markets (such as increased specialization, more competition etc.), resulting in an overaUdecline in nationalwelfare. However, this is onlypossible ifa country lacles a domestic environmental policy lbat reflects its environmental values and priorities. Much of the recent confusion over linking trade with environment in an antagonistic relationship has occurred because of poor understanding of the proper role that trade policies can play. This has been reflecte<! in claims that the GAIT somebow prevents governments from implementing sensible policies to protect domestic or international environmental resources. In the GATI's view, there is, however, no fundamental conflict between a well-functioning trading system and effective environmental policymaking. In fact, the two go hand in hand, and they must do so ifeach is to command broad popular support and allowgovernments io adopt effective policies, legislation and regulations in both areas. The case is nol difficult to make that, an open market-oriented trading system gives valuable support to environmental prolection and sustainable develop– mento For example, reforming agricultural trade and subsidy policies can help curb over-intensive farming, with its heavy environmental costs in the in– dustrialized countries and promote exports from countdes that are more naturally suited to growing agricultural products. A second example, curbing subsidies lo coal producers whose output is high in sulphur content clearIy can have obvious benefits on the environment. A third example, again to be found in GATI's Uruguay Round negoliations, would be that reducing high tariffs and quotas on imports of processed products from developing countriescan help those counlries shift from a high level of natural resource exploilation to products with more value added. Let me turn from these specific examples to two more general observations, in support of the thesis lhat freer trade helps 10 protect the environment. First, reducing trade restriclions and other distortions, such as subsidies, encourages the more efficient use of resources found around the world. That applies aIso lo environmental resources, but one must be clear about the meaning of "efficient use". Here, the powerful role of prices, central to an open trading system, comes into play. And it is important that the prices realistically reflects the value of environmental resoutces. 1stress lhis point. 1know that this is a difficult and contentious subject, which is not well suited, in a direct and substantial way, to GATI deliberations. So, 1shall just note that