No consensus could be reached on granting the US
exemptions from the requirement to phase out methyl bromide
during the UN conference on the Montreal Protocol (MOP-15) held
in Nairobi (Kenya) from 10-14 November 2003.
The most contentious issues on the
agenda was the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide.
(See
EURACTIV, 11
November 2003
)
The American delegation had sought
broad exemptions to the 2005 ban on methyl bromide
claiming that no safe, effective and economically viable
alternatives currently exist.
European and developing country negotiators refused to
agree to the exemptions. As no consensus could be reached
on whether exemptions, and if so, to what extent, should
be granted to the US, delegates agree to solve this issue
during an extraordinary meeting in Montreal in March
2004.