DUTCH RESPONSE ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS)

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 002617 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR LMOLNAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD SENV NL USTR SUBJECT: DUTCH RESPONSE ON HYDROFLUOROCARBONS (HFCS) DEMARCHE REF: A. STATE 199407 ¶B. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL AUGUST 3 ¶C. ENSTROM-MOLNAR EMAIL AUGUST 27 ¶D. MOLNAR-ENSTROM EMAIL SEPTEMBER 13 THIS MESSAGE IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. ¶1. (SBU) On September 17, EconCouns discussed ref A points with Tilly Swartepoorte, Director of Climate Change and Industry, Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM). Post delivered the same day ref A points and related European Partnership for Energy and Environment (EPEE) slides to VROM HFCs expert Frans van de Bercken. Based on ref B, Post had delivered similar points and background to van de Bercken in early August and reported the Dutch position on HFCs to USTR via email on August 27 (ref C). At that time, van de Bercken noted that the October 14 meeting of Environment Ministers was likely to approve a regulation gradually banning the use of HFCs for refrigerating purposes. He said the Dutch expected the HFCs regulation to be based on article 95 of the Treaty and to provide for a phasing-out period varying from six to nine years. The Dutch, he added, hoped to finalize the so-called "F-Gases" regulation reducing the use of HFCs during their EU Presidency. Although some member states (i.e., Austria and Denmark) were insisting on a rapid ban on HFCs, van de Bercken was confident that the regulation would provide for a generous phasing-out period. ¶2. (SBU) After repeated follow-up attempts to the September 17 demarche, van de Bercken informed post on October 12 that he would not be able to comment on the Dutch position ahead of the October 14 meeting of Environment Ministers. He said he would only note that the Dutch in their capacity as EU President would seek a compromise on the issue among EU member states. However, post also understands from ref D that Dutch Trade Minister Karien van Gennip noted in meetings at USTR in mid-September that the Dutch were aware of USG concerns and were working on this issue in the Council in order to avoid anything radical in terms of product bans. Moreover, the Dutch currently have in place as alternatives to managing/containing HFCs stop-gap measures that limit the emissions of HFCs in the pre- and post-production states of refrigerating products but do not put limits on their use. The Dutch thus recognize the need for a regulation that provides for a gradual ban on HFCs. SOBEL