WWF urges governments to fund alternatives to poisonous chemicals

Posted on March, 20 2000

Global toxic chemicals treaty being negotiated in Bonn must be strong and effective says WWF.

Bonn, Germany - WWF, the conservation organization, today urged delegates negotiating a global toxic chemicals treaty in Bonn, Germany, to agree to eliminate 12 of the most dangerous substances, and start funding alternatives for achieving a strong, effective convention.

Practical experience shows that viable and safe alternatives are available for most of the uses and sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Studies confirm that the means already exist to phase out POPs. However, inadequate financial resources prevent developing countries shifting towards and affording these alternatives.

"Sufficient funding is the light at the end of the tunnel for many developing countries," said Hammad Naqi, Senior Programme Officer with WWF-Pakistan. "It is only with this financial and technical assistance that they will be able to compile well-researched inventories on POPs, develop national plans to end reliance on these chemicals, and initiate the use of effective alternatives."

POPs originate mainly from multinational companies in industrialized countries, which have transferred production and sale of these chemicals to developing countries. Therefore, new and strengthened funding from nations such as United States, Canada, Japan, Australia and European Union (EU) members are vital to make the treaty work and end the toxic legacy of POPs.

To demonstrate to arriving delegates that POPs travel to the farthest reaches of the Earth, WWF staff outside the convention center in Bonn sprayed a three meter-high globe with colored water symbolizing the 12 POPs.

"Even if they were originally developed to control disease, increase food production and improve our standard of living, science has proven that the threats to biodiversity and human health far outweigh any benefits," said Clifton Curtis, Director of WWF's Global Toxics Initiative."We hold the solution in our hands today. But what is missing are the financial and political commitments that will enable us to move away from these hand-me-down poisons."

POPs such as PCBs, dioxin and DDT are linked to health problems in wildlife and humans. They travel long distances by air, not only seriously impacting the regions where they are used but also all other corners of the globe.

For further information:
Olivier van Bogaert, Insel Hotel, Bonn, tel.: +49-2-28-350-00 or +41-76-338-05-10 (mobile)
Lee Poston, Insel Hotel, Bonn, tel.: +49-2-28-350-00 or +49-178 341 87 58 (mobile)