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PANUPS: Montreal Protocol Agreement

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                         P A N U P S
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                   Pesticide Action Network 
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September 26, 1997

Montreal Protocol Sets International Phaseout for Methyl 
Bromide, but Fails to Agree to Rapid Ban

Representatives of 163 nations agreed to phase out methyl 
bromide, a highly toxic pesticide that is also a powerful 
ozone depleter, at the 10th anniversary of the Montreal 
Protocol, September 9-17, 1997. The Montreal Protocol is an 
international treaty to protect the earth's ozone layer. But 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) present at the meeting 
criticized the decision as too slow to protect public health 
and said only a handful of countries (including China, Kenya, 
Italy, Spain and Israel) prevented a much more rapid phaseout 
of the pesticide. 

Anne Schonfield, Program Coordinator at Pesticide Action 
Network North America, said that NGOs were particularly 
disappointed by the lack of international leadership shown by 
industrialized countries, especially the U.S. "As the world's 
largest users of methyl bromide, these nations have a 
responsibility to lead world efforts to ban this pesticide." 
She stated that behind the scenes the U.S. did not push for a 
rapid global ban, despite having a national U.S. phaseout set 
for 2001. The U.S. accounts for approximately 40% of global 
methyl bromide use.

The final Montreal Protocol agreement reached on September 17 
states that industrialized nations will completely phase out 
methyl bromide by 2005, with intermediate cuts of 25% in 
1999, 50% in 2001 and 70% in 2003. Developing countries will 
phase out the pesticide by 2015 with a freeze on use in 2002 
and 20% reduction by 2005. NGOs were particularly discouraged 
that heavy lobbying by methyl bromide producers succeeded in 
preventing a much faster ban.  

A coalition of 25 NGOs attending the meeting from more than 
16 countries called for a ban of most uses of methyl bromide 
in industrialized countries in 1999 with a complete ban in 
2001 and a ban in developing countries by 2006. They said 
that although a small group of corporations will gain from 
continuing use of methyl bromide, its negative health and 
environmental effects will be felt worldwide.

In related news, PAN North America recently released a report 
highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of non 
chemical alternatives to methyl bromide. The report, "Funding 
a Better Ban: Smart Spending on Methyl Bromide Alternatives 
in Developing Countries," presents guidelines for a rapid 
shift to more environmentally sound practices. PAN highlights 
evidence from international economic experts that the most 
"environmentally friendly" alternatives to methyl bromide are 
also the most cost effective.

The report focuses on how money should be spent under the 
Multilateral Fund, a financial mechanism created by the 
Montreal Protocol to help developing countries phase out 
ozone depleting chemicals. Developing countries used more 
than 14,500 tons of methyl bromide in 1992, about 18% of the 
world total. According to the report, use is growing rapidly 
in some regions despite international controls, largely due 
to aggressive marketing in developing countries by methyl 
bromide manufacturers. 

Key recommendations in "Funding a Better Ban" include 1) 
projects funded under the Montreal Protocol should support 
non chemical alternatives and 2) funding should shift from 
research to promoting rapid adoption of alternatives that are 
already in use. The report also calls for member countries of 
the Montreal Protocol to provide adequate funding for 
development and promotion of alternatives in developing 
countries. 

Sources: Friends of the Earth Canada Press Release, September 
15, 1997; PANNA Press Release, September 11, 1997; Anne 
Schonfield, personal communication, September 25, 1997.

Contact: PANNA.

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