Groups Demand Congress STOP Toxic Trade
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leigh Fifelski
Monday, Jan 28, 2008 (517) 999-3646
Groups launch online campaign to end distribution of unsafe imported products
LANSING – Progress Michigan, labor and environmental groups, launched an online campaign to urge Michigan’s Congressional delegation to back legislation protecting children and families from imported toxic toys and other dangerous products. The legislation is called the U.S. Food and Product Responsibility Act, introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and in the House by Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind.
“Congress should take action now to protect our citizens from toxic imports by passing the U.S. Food and Product Act,” said Sue Browne of the Blue Green Alliance. “Not only does this legislation hold corporations accountable for selling dangerous products, it also protects good paying American jobs.”
Since June of 2006, more than 6 million imported toys have been recalled for high levels of lead. Currently, companies are not held sufficiently accountable when their products contain chemicals that are toxic to our children and families. The U.S. Food and Product Responsibility Act: *requires that importers cover the full cost of any potential recall of the goods they import that would cause serious harm to the American public. *requires that importers cover claims for damages when individuals are harmed, maimed or killed by a toxic import. *covers a wide array of products, including consumer goods, drugs and medical devices, tire and replacement motor vehicle equipment, and poultry, meat and egg products.
“Michigan citizens deserve to know the imported products they are buying are safe,” said Dan Farough, Executive Director of Progress Michigan. “Today we are urging Michigan citizens to contact their congressperson, and tell them to protect Michigan families from toxic imports. Companies should be held accountable when their toys are toxic or the pet food they produce is poisoned.”
The online petition can be found at www.stoptoxictrade.com. Groups calling on Congress to stop toxic trade include Progress Michigan, Blue Green Alliance, United Steel Workers, Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, and the Michigan AFL-CIO. ###