Member governments of the Montreal Protocol on 'Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer' have finalised an agreement under which developed countries would reduce their use of methyl bromide in 2006 as compared to 2005. Methyl bromide, used as a fumigant for high-value crops, damages the earth's protective ozone shield.
As a result of this decision, the developed countries would receive exemptions totalling 13,014 metric-tonne for 2006. In addition, a recommendation for approving another 269-tonne has been tabled for final decision in the meeting to be held in December.
"This compares with a total of 16,050 tonnes of exemptions received for 2005, representing close to a 20 percent decline," sources said. Sources disclosed that the consumption of methyl bromide by the developing countries had declined from a peak of 18,140-tonne in 1998 to 11,858-tonne in 2003.
"The next meeting of the parties to the Protocol would be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 12th to 16th December. This meeting would consider requests for Methyl bromide exemptions for the year 2007 as well as the level of funding that should be made available in 2006-2008 to enable developing countries to continue complying with their numerous reduction obligations," they averred.
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