NEWS RELEASES

March 15, 1996 No. 38

CANADA BACKS NEW UN AGREEMENT TO CONTROL TRADE IN HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Environment Minister Sergio Marchi today announced Canada's participation in multilateral negotiations to develop an instrument aimed at ensuring that banned or severely restricted chemicals are not exported without the consent of importing countries. The negotiations, which began this week, sponsored by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), are expected to be completed in 1997.

"This is an important environmental initiative, and Canada intends to play an active role in achieving a realistic agreement that can be effectively implemented by all participating states," said Mr. Axworthy. "Controls on banned or severely restricted chemicals in international trade are necessary and should be based on a shared responsibility between exporting and importing countries to protect the health of citizens and the environment."

"This agreement will be an important step forward in enhancing the global management of toxic chemicals. Canada will be working hard to ensure its success for the good of future generations around the world" said Mr. Marchi.

The proposed agreement will be based on a prior informed consent (PIC) procedure aimed at controlling imports of chemicals that have been banned or severely restricted. Under this approach, participating countries will advise the FAO and UNEP on whether or not they wish to receive shipments of listed chemicals.

The growth in global trade of chemicals has led to increasing concerns about risks involved in their use. These concerns led to the development of two international voluntary codes of conduct or guidelines. The negotiations under the agreement will aim at entrenching the principle of PIC in a legally binding instrument.

The Canadian delegation to the negotiations is being headed by Mr. John Fraser, PC, QC, Canada's Ambassador for the Environment.

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A backgrounder on the prior informed consent procedure is attached.

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Catherine Lappe

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Roger White

Office of the Minister of the Environment

(819) 997-1441

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

Backgrounder

PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT PROCEDURE

What is Prior Informed Consent (PIC)?

The PIC procedure is a process by which countries advise the FAO and UNEP of whether or not they wish to receive shipments of chemicals listed under the procedure. This information is then distributed to all participating countries. Listed chemicals are primarily those that have been banned or severely restricted in the countries that participate in the procedure.

What international controls currently exist on the trade in chemicals?

At present, the PIC procedure is a voluntary measure. There are two voluntary international codes of conduct or guidelines: the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the London Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on Chemicals in International Trade, administered by the United Nations Environmental Program. These voluntary instruments were amended in 1989 to include the PIC procedure.

How many countries participate in the PIC procedure?

Currently, there are 145 countries that participate in the voluntary PIC procedure.

What chemicals are covered under the procedure?

Seventeen chemicals are subject to the procedure and a further 17 are being considered for coverage. Pesticides, as well as industrial and consumer chemicals banned or severely restricted by participating countries for health or environmental reasons, are eligible for inclusion in the procedure.

The listed pesticides are: aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, dinoseb, fluoroacetamide, and HCH (mixed isomers), chlordane, cyhexatin, EDB, heptachlor, chlordimeform and mercury compounds, (as mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride (calomel), other inorganic mercury compounds, alkyl mercury compounds and alkoxyalkyl and aryl mercury compounds).

The listed industrial chemicals are: crocidolite (brown asbestos), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), except mono- and dichlorinated, polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT), and tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate.

The current PIC procedure does not apply to pharmaceuticals, food additives, radioactive materials, biotechnology products, chemicals imported for research or analysis in quantities unlikely to affect the environment or human health, and chemicals imported as personal or household effects in reasonable quantities.

How are chemicals identified for inclusion in PIC?

Any chemical banned or severely restricted after January 1992 in at least one participating country is eligible for inclusion.

For chemicals banned or severely restricted prior to January 1992, the process for inclusion in the PIC procedure is based on control actions taken in five or more countries.

Does Canada produce any of the listed chemicals?

Canada produces one potential PIC chemical -- lindane. Lindane has been identified as one of the 17 potential PIC chemicals currently undergoing a review on whether it should be included. There are two exporters in Canada of this chemical.

What measures does Canada have in place to manage the import of banned or severely restricted chemicals?

Canada has a well-established chemicals management infrastructure that provides safeguards for chemicals imported into Canada. Industrial chemicals are subject to regulation under both the Canadian Enviornmental Protection Act and the Hazardous Products Act. Pesticides are managed under the Pest Control Products Act. The transportation of any chemical is subject to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations.

What procedures does Canada follow as an exporter?

Following the negotiation of the London Guidelines and the International Code of Conduct, Canada implemented the Toxic Substances Export Notification Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Canadian companies must notify the government (the Toxic Substances Authority) of the importing country of impending shipments of listed chemicals. The PIC procedure is implemented through voluntary agreements with exporters.

What will be the impact of the agreement on Canadian businesses?

The impact will be minimal, given that Canada does not export any of the listed chemicals (and exports only one chemical that is currently being considered for inclusion).

One of Canada's goals in the negotiations will be to ensure that any trade provisions in the convention are realistic and fair. The government recognizes the important role of Canadian businesses in helping to develop controls that protect health or the environment. Many Canadian firms have voluntarily exceeded existing standards and guidelines.

Canada will work to ensure that trade-related provisions in the Convention are consistent with international trade rules and not used as trade prohibitions.

Will Canada push to have more chemicals listed under the PIC procedure?

The PIC procedure should not be overloaded by targeting a large number of chemicals or duplicating actions in other international forums. Canada will strive to keep the impact of the new procedure manageable and would support expansion of the criteria used to identify chemicals to the extent justified by demonstrated health and environmental reasons.