Ozone fight

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, and the United Nations Environment Program is celebrating by holding its annual conference here once again beginning next week. But amid the anniversary celebrations, a big fight is looming over a particularly dangerous yet little-known ozone-depleting chemical.

Methyl bromide, an odourless, colourless and widely used pesticide and fumigant, will be among the most discussed items at this year's conference. While lasting only two years in the atmosphere, a major 1994 scientific study found that methyl bromide is 50 times more destructive to the ozone than CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).

A previous accord, which will be reviewed next week, called for a ban in industrialized countries by 2010 and a freeze for developing countries in 2002. But eco-groups fear that the accord is jeopardized by an industry campaign in favour of methyl bromide, organized by the Methyl Bromide Working Group, directed at developing countries.

"It's crucial that we get rid of methyl bromide," says Beatrice Olivastri, director of Friends of the Earth Canada. According to Olivastri, industry campaigners are saying that no firm scientific evidence exists on methyl bromide's effects and that alternatives are too costly. Olivastri says the industry line is "complete nonsense," noting that even conglomerate agricultural operations such as the American tobacco farming industry are using alternatives to methyl bromide. Wayne Hiltz