Policy History and Recommendations
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| Source: http://wildlifewatcher.com/seals.phtml |
| Due to the fact that POPs are a transboundry problem, the only good solution is a global one. Many developing nations are hesitant to ban the use of organochlorines because of the financial effect that it would have on agriculture and the lack of a good substitute for killing pest insects and preventing the spread of insect born illnesses such as malaria. Despite these hindrances, progress has been made on a global ban on organochlorines. |
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In May 1995, the UNEP Governing Council began an assessment of 12 of the most significant POPs - PCBs, dioxins and furans, aldrin, dieldrin, DDT, endrin, chlordane, hexaclorobenzene, mirex, toxaphene, and heptachlor (UNEP). An internet clearinghouse and homepage on POPs resulted from this assessment (UNEP). "UNEP and its UN partners analyzed the chemical makeup of these compounds, their transport pathways, the benefits and risks of their continued production and use, the availability and cost effectiveness of safer alternatives, and possible options for reducing or eliminating their use "(UNEP)." The results were discussed at meetings of the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety in Australia in March 1996 and in the Philippines in June 1996 (UNEP). The conclusion was that these POPs posed a serious enough risk to human health and the environment that international action was required to deal with the problem (UNEP). In February 1997, the Governing Council of UNEP began global intergovernmental negotiations on a POPs convention (IPEN). This decision was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in May 1997(IPEN). In June of 1998 an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) met in Montreal and began negotiating a global, legally binding convention (IPEN). All of these negotiations formed the basis of the Stockholm Convention. |
| The Stockholm POPs Convention was opened up for ratification after the Diplomatic Signing Ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden on May 21-23, 2001(WWF). As of December 2001, there were 90 countries that had signed the treaty but only 2, Canada and Fiji, which had ratified it (PAN Germany). Fifty ratifications are required before the convention enters into force (PAN Germany). It is hoped that enough countries will ratify the convention during the 2002 Johannesburg Summit so that it will become legally binding and enter into force. |
| According to World Wildlife Fund, action is needed to make this convention sucessful. Among the things that WWF suggests are: |
| Ratification: Governments need to expeditiously ratify the Stockholm Convention. In this regard, WWF urges governments to ratify the Treaty prior to the September 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, so that it can enter into force before the end of 2002. We also urge similar action for a package of three other global, chemicals-related instruments: the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Rotterdam Convention; the Basel Convention with its 1995 Ban Amendment; and the 1996 Protocol to the London Convention on ocean dumping. |
| Financial Assistance: Developed/donor governments need to make substantial new and additional financial resource commitments to enable developing countries and countries with economies in transition to effectively implement the POPs Convention. Major financial commitments are needed for POPs and other chemicals as part of the current third replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, as well as through other international and bilateral avenues. |
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Early Implementation: Governments, the chemical industry, NGOs and other stakeholders need to identify and help ensure that the Treaty’s obligations are rapidly implemented and carried out – without waiting for the treaty to formally take effect. With elimination and precaution as guiding principles, focused action is needed on a voluntary, interim basis on several fronts, including but not limited to:
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| Source: World Wildlife Fund |