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Landmark toxics treaty becomes international law
17 May 2004Gland, Switzerland – WWF today said that the entry into force of the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) will significantly reduce toxic chemical threats to wildlife and people throughout the world.
"While applauding the initiative and commitment of the countries that have joined the treaty, WWF urges more governments to get on board quickly," said Clifton Curtis, Director of WWF’s global Toxics Programme. "The Stockholm Convention is a shining example of how the international community can come together to address a serious environmental and health threat. Whales, polar bears, birds of prey, and people throughout the world will benefit from this progressive, new global regime."
France became the 50th party to the Stockholm Convention on February 17, 2004, triggering a 90-day countdown for the treaty to become binding international law for countries which have ratified it.
In the three years since the treaty has been open for ratification, 59 countries have joined the convention.
The treaty will ban or severely restrict 12 extremely harmful chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and several pesticides, with provisions to add additional chemicals in the future.
POPs have four key characteristics: they are toxic; they are persistent, resisting normal processes that break down contaminants; they accumulate in the body fat of people, marine mammals and other animals, and are passed from mother to foetus; and they can travel great distances on wind and water currents.
Even small quantities of POPs can cause nervous system damage, diseases of the immune system, reproductive and developmental disorders, and cancers.
WWF played a lead NGO role in the treaty negotiations and is now gearing up for the implementation phase.
"It’s time to turn those carefully crafted provisions into real on-the-ground reforms, from cleaner industrial technologies to chemical-free pest control to the destruction of obsolete pesticide stockpiles," added Clifton Curtis. "Up to now, it’s just well-meaning words. What happens next, though, offers the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people and wildlife."
The first Conference of Parties is scheduled to take place in Uruguay from 2 to 6 May, 2005. To participate as a party at this crucial first meeting, governments need to join at least 90 days beforehand.
For further information:
Olivier van Bogaert
WWF International
Tel: +41 22 364 9554
Tina Skaar
WWF-US
Tel: +1 202 778 9606
Note:
The 59 parties to the Stockholm Convention are: Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Canada, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vietnam, Yemen.
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