Considering Amendments to the Montreal Protocol

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LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE

LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE
17 November 2003
CONSIDERING AMENDMENTS TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL

Chairperson:
Rev P Moathse (ANC North West)

Documents handed out:
Department Presentation: SA Ratification of the Montreal and Beijing Amendments(email [email protected])
Explanatory Memorandum: SA Ratification of the Montreal and Beijing Amendments
The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer.
The Montreal Amendment adopted by the Ninth Meeting of the Parties

SUMMARY
The Department proposed the ratification of the Beijing and the Montreal Amendments to the Montreal Protocol ahead of the 1 January 2004 deadline. The Committee endorsed it after consultations with the Department.

MINUTES
Mr Manyikela, Acting Director Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism explained that South Africa had acceded to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer on 15 January 1990. Subsequently the Beijing Amendment 1999, and the Montreal Amendment 1997, had been introduced. South Africa must ratify this or suffer potential trade sanctions.

The Beijing Amendment provides for new controls on the production of hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs) and the Montreal Amendment entails a mandatory licensing system to control the import and export of ozone depleting substances, in particular Methyl Bromide.

Methyl Bromide is a pesticide used mainly for soil fumigation in the agricultural sector. The production of tomatoes, strawberries, tobacco and especially apples would decline in both quantity and quality without the use of Methyl Bromide, resulting in potentially large-scale job losses.

South Africa is the largest consumer of HCFC's in Africa. These substances are used in refrigeration air-conditioning and for a host of other industrial capacities, particularly in the Mining sector.

Discussion
Rev M Chabaku (ANC Free State) asked for clarity on the illegality of dealing with prohibited ozone depleting (CFCs). She asked whether it was legal if an individual was not caught.

Mr Manyikela said CFCs were definitely illegal under both circumstances, however there was much illicit trafficking in similarly prohibited substances in South Africa.

Rev Chabaku supported the amendments, saying many of these substances were necessary evils in SA industries.

Ms B Thompson (ANC Kwazulu-Natal) asked exactly which substances were illegal.

Mr Manyikela said the manner in which a carbonated substance interacted with the atmosphere was important in determining its affect on the Ozone Layer. Methyl Bromide had the shortest life-span of these ozone depleting substances, while others continually impacted on the atmosphere for more than a 1000 years. If the use of all ozone depleting substances was ceased immediately, it would not visibly improve the condition of the Ozone Layer before 2050. Mr Manyikela said this was a technical matter and suggested the public refer to the Ozone Friendly label on most aerosols and other products to ensure these were not harmful to the Ozone Layer. Notwithstanding the US$650 million spent on research, no viable alternatives were available and most developed nations would apply for 'critical usage exemption' by the 2006 deadline to cease the use of Methyl Bromide.

Rev Moathse asked how not ratifying these amendments would affect jobs in South Africa.

Mr Manyikela said failure to ratify these amendments would result in trade sanctions as nations party to these amendments would not be able to freely trade in these substances with South Africa. Parties to these amendments would also benefit from the Multilateral Fund Secretariat to the Montreal Protocol for financial and research assistance into Ozone Friendly alternatives.

The committee unanimously supported the ratification of the amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.

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