Brussels, 26/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission unveiled legislation to ban all European Union exports of mercury from 2011. It points out in a press release that 'the ban forms a key part of the EU's strategy for reducing global exposure to mercury, which is highly toxic to both humans and the environment'. The export ban will significantly reduce global supply and thereby also emissions mercury into the environment. The draft regulation will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for approval under the co-decision procedure.
To contribute to a global reduction in mercury exposure, the draft regulation would ban mercury exports from the EU from 1 July 2011. From the same date, mercury no longer used in the chlor-alkali industry as well as mercury gained from the purification of natural gas or production of non-ferrous metals would have to be safely stored, for example in underground salt mines adapted for waste disposal. The Commission has consulted widely on its proposal and MAYASA, the Spanish government and the European chlor-alkali industry - the stakeholders most directly affected - have agreed to the ban from the date proposed. MAYASA supplies around 1,000 tonnes a year. The Commission has taken note that CEFOC, the European chemical industry organisation, has given a voluntary commitment to ensure safe storage of mercury from the chlor-alkali industry from 1 July 2011. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas commented: "In banning exports of mercury and requiring its safe storage, the EU will be setting an example for global action to reduce emissions. I urge other countries to support moves towards a worldwide agreement." The timing of the release of the draft regulation coincided with an international conference on mercury organised by the Commission in Brussels on 26-27 October to focus on reducing supply and demand for highly toxic mercury and to identify options for global action. The conference comes just four months before the next meeting of the UNEP Governing Council in February 2007 (United Nations Environment Programme), where the issue of a binding global instrument will again be discussed. The EU has already raised the need for a legally binding global instrument on mercury at UNEP's Governing Council.
The EU mercury strategy, launched by the Commission in January 2005, is a comprehensive plan addressing mercury pollution both in the EU and globally. It contains 20 measures to reduce mercury emissions, cut supply and demand and protect against exposure, especially to methylmercury found in fish. The export ban and safe storage of surplus supplies are major aspects of the strategy. Further information: http: //ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/mercury/index.htm (ol)