11/05/2017 (Agence Europe) – The way is now clear for ratification by the EU of the Minamata Convention on mercury which aims to protect public health and the environment from pollution by this highly toxic heavy metal. The formal decision was taken by the Council of the EU on Thursday 11 May after the European Parliament had given its approval (see EUROPE 11776). The instrument of ratification will be deposited with the United Nations on 18 May. Maltese Environment Minister José A. Herrera immediately hailed this step forward. “The EU takes the health of its citizens very seriously, and is part of international efforts to limit mercury emissions and releases on a global scale”, he stated. The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention will take place in Geneva at the end of September 2017. (AN)