§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to tighten controls on the use of methyl bromide. [10967]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 July 1997]: EC regulation 3093/94 places a freeze on the production and consumption of methyl bromide at 1991 levels from 1995, and requires a further 25 per cent. cut from 1998. The Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer requires all developed countries to phase out methyl bromide by 2010, with cuts of 25 per cent. in 2001 and 50 per cent. in 2005.
The controls on methyl bromide under the Montreal protocol will be reviewed at the ninth meeting of the parties in September. At the Environment Council in June, Environment Ministers agreed that the controls should be strengthened and that the European Community should propose that the phase-out date for developed countries should be advanced to 2005 subject to exemptions for critical uses. The Community will also propose that there should be an interim cut of 50 per cent. in 2001.