Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 22 • 3rd December 2004

Ozone Meeting Approves Limited Use of Methyl Bromide

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Meeting in Prague from 22-26 November, parties to the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting substances were unable to agree on exemptions to a ban on methyl bromide. The US and other developed countries sought exemptions from the full phase-out of this ozone-depleting pesticide and fumigant, originally set for 2005, citing “critical use” needs. Methyl bromide is applied to cut flowers, strawberries and tomatoes. To resolve the methyl bromide issue, an additional, extraordinary meeting will be held in mid-2005.

Parties to the Montreal Protocol also considered trade in products and commodities treated with methyl bromide. Kenya introduced a draft decision urging parties not to restrict trade in these products, given their significance to the agricultural sectors of developing countries. Switzerland, however, noted that trade barriers may be desirable in that they encourage the phase-out of methyl bromide, and also cited implications for international law. The language in the decision finally adopted on this topic “invites” parties not to restrict trade in products from parties in compliance with the Montreal Protocol just because they have been treated with methyl bromide. The decision also welcomes efforts at developing alternatives to methyl bromide.

For daily updates and a full summary of the meeting, see IISD’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin.

ICTSD reporting; “Rich states’ demands threaten environment treaty,” REUTERS, 25 November 2004; “Use of Ozone Destroying Methyl Bromide Will Continue,” ENS, 29 November 2004.