A Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration on issues related to Methyl Bromide was signed on 14 November 2012 between the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and FAO on behalf of the IPPC. During its 7th session in 2012, the CPM was informed on the proposal for this Memorandum of Understanding.

Methyl Bromide: Quarantine and Pre-shipment Uses is a brochure that was jointly prepared by the secretariats of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the International Plant Protection Convention. The intent of this brochure is to bring together information on the issue of methyl bromide with respect to its application for quarantine (and pre-shipment) purposes, which is an area of mutual concern to both multilateral agreements. It is hoped that this brochure will assist the Parties to both agreements in their endeavour to better understand and address those matters.

Brief description of the UNEP- Ozone Secretariat and relevant web link

The Ozone Secretariat is the Secretariat for the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and for the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Its mission is to facilitate and support the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol and other stakeholders, as appropriate, in implementing actions to protect and heal the ozone layer against adverse impacts resulting from its modification, thus protecting human health and the environment, including minimizing impacts on climate.

The Vienna Convention was adopted in 1985 with the objective to promote cooperation by means of systematic observations, research and information exchange on the effects of human activities on the ozone layer and to adopt legislative or administrative measures against activities likely to have adverse effects on the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol, adopted in 1987, was designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere, and thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer.

The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol are the first and only global environmental treaties so far to achieve universal ratification, having been ratified by 197 parties. Together, they have established a successful ozone protection regime, with sound scientific knowledge serving as the basis for appropriate policies and action under the Convention and the Protocol. http://ozone.unep.org

Brief description of the Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) and relevant web link

The MBTOC was established by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer to identify existing and potential alternatives to methyl bromide (MB). The Committee addresses the technical feasibility of chemical and non-chemical alternatives for all uses of MB (soils, structures, commodities and QPS (quarantine and pre-shipment) except for MB use as a chemical feedstock. The Committee is part of the Protocol's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) which advises the Parties on scientific, technical and economic matters related to the control of ozone depleting substances and their alternatives. MBTOC produces comprehensive quadrennial Assessment Reports and yearly updates (Progress Reports), which are posted at the Ozone Secretariat website and can be accessed at: http://ozone.unep.org/en/assessment-panels/technology-and-economic-assessment-panel. These reports address methyl bromide QPS issues and as a norm keep track of relevant developments under the IPPC.

The MBTOC generally meets once a year but sometimes twice when required due to special circumstances. At present, the work of the Committee focuses mainly on the evaluation of Critical Use Nominations for methyl bromide, since under Montreal Protocol guidelines all uses which are subject to the Protocol’s controls (i.e. non-QPS uses) have been phased-out and are only allowed under the critical use exemption. Because QPS uses of methyl bromide now account by far for the largest consumption of this ozone depleting substance, however, the Committee keeps track of QPS consumption and production, main categories of use and ways to minimize methyl bromide use and emissions, including feasible alternatives. Of particular importance is ISPM-15 but also other significant categories of use; for example, grain and other durables, logs and fresh fruit and vegetables. A number of decisions taken by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol have tasked MBTOC with assessing QPS uses and their possible alternatives.

MBTOC Co-chairs:

• Prof. Mohammed Besri, Morocco, E-mail [email protected]
• Ms. Marta Pizano, Colombia E-mail [email protected]
• Dr. Ian Porter, Australia E-mail [email protected]