MERCURY PARTNER FOR UNEP SUBMISSION - BRAZILIAN RESPONSE

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001708 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/ENV ANGELA BEDNAREK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ETRD TSPL UNEP BR SUBJECT: MERCURY PARTNER FOR UNEP SUBMISSION - BRAZILIAN RESPONSE REFTEL: STATE 130753 ¶1. Post delivered reftel's talking points to Otavio Drummond of the MFA's Division for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development. Drummond noted that the Ministry of Environment (MMA) is responsible for mercury activities in Brazil and surmised that the MMA would most likely submit a list of activities to UNEP. The MFA has requested information from MMA which Drummond will pass on if/when received. ¶2. Comment: Scioffs have been trying to facilitate mercury cooperation between the MMA and U.S. EPA under the ambit of the UNEP mercury partnership program. Throughout the process the MMA division responsible for chemicals has often appeared unable to execute tasks in a timely manner. To wit, it is not clear whether they will make the submission deadline for the report. The MMA has, however, continually professed interest in working on mercury with UNEP and the USG. End Comment SOBEL