§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his policy towards proposed negotiations on a chemicals convention at the UN General Assembly special session. [19138]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Government supported the recent UNEP governing council decisions on negotiation of legally binding instruments on prior informed consent for trade in certain hazardous chemicals, and on persistent organic pollutants. The governing council also invited the executive director of UNEP to develop a report outlining options for enhanced coherence and efficiency among international activities related to chemicals, including the instrument on the prior informed consent procedure under development and a likely future agreement on persistent organic pollutants. We will consider the conclusions of the report, including any proposal for a chemicals convention, when it is completed.