Table 2.

The essential points of the Wingspread statement of the Precautionary Principle (available at: http://www.gdrc.org/u-gov/precaution-3.html)

‘This statement was drafted and finalized at a conference at the Wingspread Conference Center, Racine, Wisconsin, which took place on 23–25 January 1998.

… Therefore it is necessary to implement the Precautionary Principle:

• Where an activity raises threats of harm to the environment or human health, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.

• In this context, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public bears the burden of proof.

• The process of applying the precautionary principle must be open, informed and democratic, and must include potentially affected parties.

• It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action.…’