Row over plans to ban pesticide

28 August 1997

Row over plans to ban pesticide

MINISTERS are due to vote at a meeting in Montreal next month on a plan to
eliminate methyl bromide.

The pesticide is used to fumigate soils and processed
foods. It is thought to account for one-tenth of the destruction of the ozone
layer.

British and US scientists accused the United Nations Environment Programme of suppressing information which argues that the chemicals cannot be easily or quickly phased out without wrecking agriculture in the developing world.

The US has said it will ban methyl bromide in 2001. It is keen to protect its
farmers by forcing the rest of the world to follow suit.