Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRASILIA162
2007-01-29 20:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brasilia
Cable title:
BINDING MERCURY POLLUTION REDUCTION TARGETS - NO POSITION
how-toVZCZCXRO1695 PP RUEHRG DE RUEHBR #0162 0292001 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 292001Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7982 INFO RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 3795 RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 9116 RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 6174 RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000162
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN
STATE PASS TO EPA/CHMACON
STATE TO WHA/BSC WPOPP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN AORC ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR
SUBJECT: BINDING MERCURY POLLUTION REDUCTION TARGETS - NO POSITION
FOR BRAZIL
REF: (A) 06 STATE 202028, (B) BRASILIA 50
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000162
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN
STATE PASS TO EPA/CHMACON
STATE TO WHA/BSC WPOPP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN AORC ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR
SUBJECT: BINDING MERCURY POLLUTION REDUCTION TARGETS - NO POSITION
FOR BRAZIL
REF: (A) 06 STATE 202028, (B) BRASILIA 50
1. On January 25, 2007, SCI Officer met again with Otavio Trindade
of the Ministry of External Relations' Division for Environmental
Policy and Sustainable Development for follow-up discussions
regarding demarche request in Ref A. Trindade reiterated Brazil's
support for UNEP voluntary mercury partnerships and its opposition
to binding mercury pollution reduction targets via the creation of a
new international legal framework.
2. Trindade went on to explain, however, that he had recently been
informed that the European Commission (EC) may introduce an
amendment to the Stockholm Convention at the UNEP GC meeting in
Nairobi that would call for binding mercury pollution reduction
targets. In light of this new (to the GOB) information, and since
the EC's proposal would be an amendment to an existing legal
framework to which the GOB is a party, he could not confirm whether
the GOB would support or oppose such an amendment. Trindade added
that it was also not clear whether the GOB would establish its
position on the potential amendment prior to the February 5 UNEP GC
meeting in Nairobi.
3. Trindade opined that given the Ministry of Environment's (MMA)
assessment that there has been a reported reduction in mercury
pollution over the last year in Brazil, and that primary mining of
mercury is already illegal in Brazil (although illegal mining and
black market sales continue),GOB support for the amendment remains
a possibility because the proposed targets may be easy for Brazil to
meet. On the other hand, it is also not clear whether the GOB would
be able to consistently meet such binding targets in the future.
Trindade added that via similar logic, it may also be possible that
the GOB would support a global prohibition of mercury exports.
4. On a related note, Trindade concluded the meeting by emphasizing
that Itamaraty supports a voluntary mercury partnerships between EPA
and MMA as envisioned by UNEP, and that it would welcome an exchange
of letters of cooperation in this regard. Post is currently working
with EPA to develop such a draft letter (to be sent to Washington
for clearance prior to submittal to the GOB). Post will continue to
communicate with the GOB on these issues in the lead up to the
Nairobi meeting and report to Washington with any updates.
SOBEL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN
STATE PASS TO EPA/CHMACON
STATE TO WHA/BSC WPOPP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EMIN AORC ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR
SUBJECT: BINDING MERCURY POLLUTION REDUCTION TARGETS - NO POSITION
FOR BRAZIL
REF: (A) 06 STATE 202028, (B) BRASILIA 50
1. On January 25, 2007, SCI Officer met again with Otavio Trindade
of the Ministry of External Relations' Division for Environmental
Policy and Sustainable Development for follow-up discussions
regarding demarche request in Ref A. Trindade reiterated Brazil's
support for UNEP voluntary mercury partnerships and its opposition
to binding mercury pollution reduction targets via the creation of a
new international legal framework.
2. Trindade went on to explain, however, that he had recently been
informed that the European Commission (EC) may introduce an
amendment to the Stockholm Convention at the UNEP GC meeting in
Nairobi that would call for binding mercury pollution reduction
targets. In light of this new (to the GOB) information, and since
the EC's proposal would be an amendment to an existing legal
framework to which the GOB is a party, he could not confirm whether
the GOB would support or oppose such an amendment. Trindade added
that it was also not clear whether the GOB would establish its
position on the potential amendment prior to the February 5 UNEP GC
meeting in Nairobi.
3. Trindade opined that given the Ministry of Environment's (MMA)
assessment that there has been a reported reduction in mercury
pollution over the last year in Brazil, and that primary mining of
mercury is already illegal in Brazil (although illegal mining and
black market sales continue),GOB support for the amendment remains
a possibility because the proposed targets may be easy for Brazil to
meet. On the other hand, it is also not clear whether the GOB would
be able to consistently meet such binding targets in the future.
Trindade added that via similar logic, it may also be possible that
the GOB would support a global prohibition of mercury exports.
4. On a related note, Trindade concluded the meeting by emphasizing
that Itamaraty supports a voluntary mercury partnerships between EPA
and MMA as envisioned by UNEP, and that it would welcome an exchange
of letters of cooperation in this regard. Post is currently working
with EPA to develop such a draft letter (to be sent to Washington
for clearance prior to submittal to the GOB). Post will continue to
communicate with the GOB on these issues in the lead up to the
Nairobi meeting and report to Washington with any updates.
SOBEL