US, EU get exemption in use of CFCs

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The parties to Montreal Protocol have agreed to give United States the right to use 5,355 tonnes of mythyle bromide, an ozone depleting substance, during the year 2008.

The decision was taken by the parties at their 18th meeting that concluded here today.

A United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) official said the US had requested for use of 6,415 ronnes while the technical committee had recommended 4,339 tonnes.

Besides, the parties also agreed to give the US exemption to use Chlorofloro Carbons (CFCs), another ozone depleting substance, in metered dose inhalers till 2008, while it gave the exemption to the European Community only till 2007.

The 18th Meeting began here on October 30 and the high-level segment of the meeting was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on November two.

The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty, designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the protection of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion.

The treaty came into force on January first, 1999. Since then, it has undergone five revisions, last being done in 1999 at Beijing.

The treaty is structured around several groups of Halogenated hydrocarbons that have been shown to play a role in ozone depletion.

The ODSs are used in refrigeration and air conditioning, fire fighting, electronics, foams and aerosol industries.

India prepared its programme for phase out of ODSs in 1993 and since then it has taken a series of fiscal and regulatory measures.

As many as 189 nations have become party to the Montreal Protocol.

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