Press release
Embargoed until 9 March 2016
Despite progress, global mercury agreement undermined by uncontrolled production and trade
Groups ask governments to fast track ratification, early implementation of Minamata Treaty
Amman, Jordan, 9 March 2016—Commitments toward stronger global mercury controls are being hampered by illegal, unreported and unregulated mercury production and trade, an international NGO coalition revealed today on the eve of a UN mercury treaty meeting in Jordan.
The Zero Mercury Working Group[1] (ZMWG) said that global efforts to reduce emissions of mercury may be derailed if gaps in mercury production and trade controls are not addressed before the treaty enters into force.
“Trafficking in mercury is not like selling potato chips,” said Michael Bender, ZMWG International Coordinator. “There are well known consequences when mercury gets haphazardly produced, traded and subsequently released into the biosphere.”
Mercury is a potent persistent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates, posing the greatest risks to developing children, coastal populations and millions of small-scale gold miners using mercury around the globe.
The Minamata Convention on Mercury, agreed in 2013, signed by 128 countries and ratified by 23 nations thus far, is a treaty that protects human health and environment from mercury pollution. The treaty bans new mercury mines, places control measures on air emissions, imposes regulations on artisanal and small-scale gold mining, and enforces the phase out of existing mines and products.
The meeting in Jordan this week is the seventh session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) on mercury. Delegates are meeting to agree on the finer details of the agreement. This is the last meeting before the Convention enters into force, once 50 countries ratify it.
“Countries need to stay true to the spirit and intent of this historic agreement,” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, ZMWG International Coordinator. “In order to stop the flow we need to first know where mercury supply comes from and where it goes.”
Significant gaps in information on mercury production and trade flows prevent a clear understanding of the global supply situation. There is currently no standard information or listing on mercury production, supply and trade. Some mercury producing countries do not report production levels and many countries have no accurate listing of their mercury stocks due to the proliferation of illegal or smuggled supplies.
“It is worrying that new and soon to be illegal primary mercury mines[i] are now popping up in Indonesia and Mexico, and that East Asia is emerging as a major mercury trading hub,” said Richard Gutierrez, Director, Ban Toxics! – Philippines. “All this feeds substantial mercury demand in small-scale gold mining in the greater Asian region, Latin America and potentially across the world. These trends do not bode well for the future of the treaty.”
The ZMWG believes that to effectively control and manage mercury trade, countries need to start identifying and quantifying their mercury production sources. Governments need to be transparent about their production volumes and stockpiles and about who is exporting and how much to which countries.
“Preventing opportunistic mercury production and trade through an efficient reporting and monitoring structure will help to prevent it from continuing. This should be a top priority when governments gather tomorrow,” said Rico Euripidou of groundWork South Africa. “Data reporting should become an integral part of the treaty. Otherwise the treaty may end up being just another paper tiger.”
For more information, please contact:
Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, ZMWG International Coordinator, Mobile: +32 496 532818, Elena.lymberidi@eeb.org
Michael Bender, ZMWG International Coordinator, M:+1 802 9174579, mercurypolicy@aol.com
Richard Gutierrez, Director, Ban Toxics!, Philippines, M: +63 2 355 7640, rgutierrez@bantoxics.org
Rico Euripidou, groundWork – Friends of the Earth South Africa , M: +27 835193008, rico@groundwork.org.za
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Notes to editors:
[1] ZMWG is a global coalition of over 95 public interest environmental and health non-governmental organizations from more than 50 countries.
[2] The Minamata Convention on Mercury http://www.mercuryconvention.org
[3] A now defunct German waste company, DELA GmbH, was found in 2014 to have illegally exported over 1,000 tons of excess metallic mercury from the EU chlor-alkali industry, circumventing the EU export ban, with the mercury making its way on to the global market. DELA disguised the mercury as “waste” and exported around 500 tonnes to Switzerland, Greece, the Netherlands and other countries.
DELA was reportedly able to get around the regulations to not deliver stabilized mercury for storage and disposal because no mechanism was required to track the mercury to its intended end destination. Authorities still do not know where all the mercury went. But all of the main destination countries are known to trade with countries where there is significant artisanal small scale gold mining which straight-pipes mercury to the environment, also exposing miners and their families to this dangerous neurotoxin.
“In order to stop the flow we need to first know where mercury supply comes from and where it goes,” said Elena Lymberidi-Settimo, EEB Zero Mercury Project Manager . “We call on the EU to set up a trade tracking system to record mercury trade information from exports and imports and also within the industry sector.”
[4] Ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by the EU http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/mercury/ratification_en.htm
[i] Once the treaty enters into force, mercury from primary mining will no longer be allowed used in artisanal and small scale gold mining.
At its seventh meeting (Geneva, 4 July 2014), the Task Force on Target Setting and Reporting decided to establish an informal review group to work on an addendum to the Guidelines on the Setting of Targets, Evaluation of Progress and Reporting as well as to define the scope of a possible further revision of the guidelines after the fourth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, scheduled to take place in 2016.
The Informal Review Group was also tasked with revising the guidelines and template for summary reports by the eighth meeting of the Task Force, which took place on 2 and 3 July 2015.
The Informal Review Group includes, among other experts, Emma Anakhasyan, Head of the Environmental Health Department of AWHHE NGO.
Informal Review Group had four meetings: three meetings in 2015 and the fourth one in 2016.
Key considerations on future reporting system are:
- Strengthening the Part Four of the current reporting template with a view on gaining comprehensive supporting on the overall implementation of the Protocol with a particular focus on the core obligations under the Protocol (e.g. article 8)
- Harmonizing the reporting system with the priority areas under the programme of work (e.g. equitable access, small scale systems, safe and efficient management)
- Careful judgment of usefulness of the information requested, potentially leading to adjustments
- Need to reflect success stories that demonstrate progress achieved under the Protocol – concrete “success stories”: general progress over time on basis of common indicators (narrative and data) as well as added value of joining the Protocol
- Aligning reporting requirements under the Protocol with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relevant to the water, sanitation, hygiene and health
- Aligning with other regional and global commitments such as the human right to water and sanitation
- Considering establishing linkages with other reporting systems
- Strengthening reporting on inter-sectoral cooperation and public and citizens’ involvement
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment NGO is among signatories.
Please read the call for support to see how you can help the kindergarten of the village of Ditak. Your support is much-needed and will be greatly appreciated.
The village of Ditak of Ararat province is located at 20 km from the capital of Armenia. It is considered to be one of the geographically isolated settlements. The village has a population of 787 (230 households). The territory of the village is 217 ha. A large number of women shoulder the overwhelming burden of household tasks, the responsibility for caring for their children and their homes alone, because either their husbands have passed away, or they have left the country in search of work. Some of the male residents work either in Yerevan or abroad (e.g. in Russia). There is not enough water to irrigate the plots. The livelihood conditions are unsatisfactory and need to be improved.
What we need right now
Ditak community had no kindergarten in the past. The local governing body had an intention to turn the space of the back block of the school building into a kindergarten. Unfortunately, due to the lack of finances, the plan was impossible to put into operation. Thanks to the generous support of the Swiss Sourire vers I’Avenir Foundation, the Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) implemented successfully the renovation of the kindergarten. Additional funding is needed right now to enable the operation of the kindergarten (the kindergarten has no furniture, equipment, etc.). The kindergarten will serve 40 kids. The beneficiaries are not only the children of this village, but also the children from the neighboring community, whose parents also want their children to attend this kindergarten.
Entrance to the renovated Ditak kindergarten
Inside the renovated Ditak kindergarten (playroom)
Toilet unit in the renovated Ditak kindergarten
Please see below what is needed for 40 kids:
- Playroom:
- 40 chairs
- 10 tables
- One storage/ shelves unit for toys
- Bedroom:
- 20 two-story beds
- 40 small wardrobes
Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) NGO will use its previous successful experience for cooperating with the interested stakeholders and communities. We want to believe that the charitable organizations and Armenian authorities, who are concerned about the social conditions and education of children in rural areas of Armenia, will respond to the call.
Thank you very much for your support.
For more information, please contact us at:
Phone: (+ 374 10) 52 36 04;
E-mail: office@awhhe.am
Website: www.awhhe.am
On 04 December 2015, AWHHE represented the civil society sector at the inception workshop of the UNDP/GEF on the full sized project “Elimination of obsolete pesticides Stockpiles and addressing POPs contaminated sites within a sound chemicals management framework”. The workshop organized by UNDP-Armenia Office was opened by the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Nature protection RA. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia addressed the participants with an opening welcome. UNDP project coordinator noted the long-term commitment of AWHHE NGO to elimination of obsolete pesticide stockpiles in Armenia.
Уважаемый коллега!
Мы обращаемся к Вам за поддержкой в создании Глобального альянса по поэтапному отказу от особо опасных пестицидов (ООП) на предстоящей сессии МКРХВ4 в Женеве.[1] [2] [3] Мы полагаем, что такой альянс, основывающийся на уроках успешного Глобального альянса СПМРХВ за ликвидацию свинца в краске, жизненно важен. Он поможет странам в адекватном обращении с ООП и в их замене таким образом, который позволяет поддержать источники средств к существованию для сельхозпроизводителей.
В сессионном документе 4/8 “Предложение по особо опасным пестицидам”, ФАО, ЮНЕП и ВОЗ указывают на некоторые причины для проведения действий в связи с ООП.[4] Они связывают экспозицию по ООП с растущим числом случаев рака и нарушений развития. Эти агентства выражают особую озабоченность воздействием ООП на детей, которые наиболее уязвимы к действию пестицидов в критические периоды развития. И наконец, ФАО/ЮНЕП/ВОЗ указывают на стоимость этих воздействий для общества и отмечают, что недостаточный потенциал ограничивает способность многих развивающихся стран адекватно справляться с рисками, связанными с пестицидами.
В ходе МКРХВ2, обеспокоенность в связи с отравлением свинцом в развивающихся странах и в странах с переходной экономикой привела к созданию Глобального альянса за ликвидацию свинца в краске, координирующую роль в котором выполняли ЮНЕП и ВОЗ.[5] Этот альянс добился реального прогресса, начав практически с нуля и с минимальной нагрузкой (функции секретариата) на агентства системы ООН. Мы полагаем, что аналогичного продвижения следует добиваться и в случае ООП. Дополнительная информация по этому вопросу приводится в нашем информационном документе SAICM/ICCM.4/INF/29. Кроме того, ниже приводятся некоторые возможные цели Глобального альянса по поэтапному отказу от ООП. Предлагаемое техническое задание для альянса будет подготовлено в качестве информационного документа (прилагается для облегчения доступа).
Как раз перед МКРХВ4, мировое сообщество примет 17 целей устойчивого развития (ЦУР). “Продвижение устойчивого сельского хозяйства” является одним из компонентов Цели 2 и включает целевой показатель “обеспечить устойчивые системы производства продовольствия… которые помогают поддерживать экосистемы.” Поэтапный отказ от ООП тесно связан с достижением этой цели. Агроэкология считается основой устойчивого сельского хозяйства, но для ее внедрения странам требуется помощь и сотрудничество.
В действительности, во многих развивающихся странах и странах с переходной экономикой применение пестицидов в обычных условиях часто является источником значительного вреда для здоровья фермеров и экосистем. Проблема ООП не рассматривается комплексно ни в одном соглашении о международном сотрудничестве. Более 1000 организаций гражданского общества и НПО защиты общественных интересов из 100 стран активно поддерживают призыв Совета ФАО 2006 г. к последовательному запрету ООП и призывают к их замене основывающимися на экосистемном подходе альтернативами. Сейчас настало время для действий.
Благодарим за рассмотрение данного вопроса.
Цели Глобального альянса по поэтапному отказу от особо опасных пестицидов могли бы включать следующие:
(a) Повысить уровень информированности государственных учреждений и органов регулирования, фермеров и сельского населения, частного бизнеса, потребителей, работников, профсоюзов и медицинских учреждений о связанном с особо опасными пестицидами вреде и о доступности более безопасных альтернатив;
(b) Способствовать разработке и реализации целесообразных превентивных программ для поэтапного отказа от применения особо опасных пестицидов, их замены нехимическими альтернативами, агроэкологическими и другими экосистемными подходами к устойчивому производству продовольствия и волокон, а также в сфере здравоохранения для борьбы с переносчиками заболеваний в качестве одного из приоритетов. Когда будут введены в действие процессы для поэтапного отказа от особо опасных пестицидов, необходимо будет задействовать схемы для обеспечения справедливого и безопасного перехода, защищающие здоровье работающих и сохраняющие занятость;
(c) Предоставлять помощь фермерам, чтобы позволить им отказаться от применения особо опасных пестицидов, но сохранить при этом свои сельскохозяйственные источники средств к существованию;
(d) Предоставлять помощь работниках здравоохранения в выявлении случаев отравления пестицидами и предоставления соответствующе отчетности, чтобы способствовать эффективному надзору и выявлению особо опасных пестицидов;
(e) Предоставлять помощь правительственным учреждениям в определении целесообразных альтернатив, особенно что касается борьбы с переносчиками заболеваний в секторе здравоохранения;
(f) Способствовать созданию целесообразных национальных систем регулирования с целью прекращения производства, импорта, продажи и применения особо опасных пестицидов, а также для их безопасного удаления;
(g) Предоставлять руководящие указания и поддерживать помощь для выявления, предотвращения и сокращения экспозиции по особо опасным пестицидам, включая местных жителей в районах размещения сельхозугодий и в городах.
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[1] В ходе МКРХВ3 более 65 стран и организаций подали резолюцию, которая включала “последовательный запрет ООП и их замену более безопасными альтернативами”. Это отражало рекомендацию Совета ФАО 2006 г. о “последовательном запрете особо опасных пестицидов”.
[2] В декабре 2014 г., на заседании Рабочей группы открытого состава СПМРХВ, весь Африканский регион призывал к созданию Глобального альянса по поэтапному отказу от особо опасных пестицидов. Этот призыв получил широкую поддержку и привел к соглашению о разработке соответствующего подхода для рассмотрения на МКРХВ.
[3] После МКРХВ3 проводились три межсессионных региональных встречи СПМРХВ с участием более чем 140 стран, в ходе которых подтверждали связанные с ООП опасения и требовали больше информации об экосистемных подходах для борьбы с вредителями в качестве альтернативы для ООП.
[4] Документы сессии на всех языках ООН размещена на сайте: http://www.saicm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=525&Itemid=700
[5]http://www.unep.org/chemicalsandwaste/hazardoussubstances/hazardoussubstances/LeadCadmium/PrioritiesforAction/GAELP/tabid/6176/Default.aspx
The fourth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) took place in Geneva from 28 September to 2 October, 2015. ICCM is the governing body of UNEP’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), an Approach which covers all agricultural and industrial chemicals throughout their lifecycle, and reflects environmental, economic, social, health and labour aspects of chemical safety. SAICM brings together stakeholders and sectors that include agriculture, environment, health, industry, labour, economics, science and academia to catalyse achievement of the goal by 2020 “that chemicals are used and produced in ways that minimize adverse effects on human health and the environment.”
The post-2015 Development Agenda provides a historic opportunity to place sound management of chemicals and waste at the heart of sustainable development. ICCM4 facilitated the exchange needed to promote sharing of resources and forging of partnerships. The high-level segment on 1-2 October with participation of ministers, heads of United Nations agencies and organizations, Chief Executive Officers and high-level participants from major groups and stakeholders provided a platform for discussing ways that SAICM can contribute to implementing and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The high-level segment featured keynote speeches and panel participation from senior levels of global business and industry, government, NGOs, and donors.
Stakeholders renewed and confirmed their commitment to act in order to reach the 2020 goal- ensuring the proper management of chemicals .By the end of meeting the resolutions were adopted. Meeting documents and information are available at www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/?q=en/.
www.saicm.org/index.php?option.
Dr. Elena Manvelyan, President of NGO AWHHE participated in ICCM4 as SAICM focal point from RA NGO sector sharing experience related to the SAICM issues in the area of pesticides, pesticides waste, chemicals in products and etc.
AWHHE is a member of the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) that brings together leading environmental and public health groups around the world to establish and implement safe chemicals policies and practices that protect human health and the environment. IPEN’s information (including an agenda, other meeting documents and more) on ICCM4 is available at:
http://www.ipen.org/conferences/iccm4/overview.
Nowadays, under conditions of high rate of migration in Armenia, it is of particular importance to improve the conditions for education and development of the rising generation.
With a view to contributing to the reconstruction of the school in the village of Ditak of Ararat province, during the period of renovation of the school, the Embassy of Japan granted 110 000 USD, and the Swiss “Sourire vers I’Avenir” Foundation provided 166000 USD. This support helped renovate the roof, reinforce the school building, provide insulation, renovate the gym, construct toilets inside the school, construct a septic tank outside the school and for energy efficiency install new doors and windows. The school, which is attended by 80 students, has not been renovated since 1968, year of its foundation.
On the 25th of August 2015 a new grant contract of 88,113 USD was signed between the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Armenia and the “Armenian women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO to complete the renovation of the school.
The Governor of Ararat province thanked the government of Japan and the Swiss Foundation for their investment in renovation of the school, thanks to which the school children will be provided with better conditions for their learning and development.