Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRASILIA50
2007-01-10 15:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Brasilia
Cable title:  

Brazil Supports UNEP Voluntary Mercury Partnerships

Tags:  AORC EMIN ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4398
PP RUEHRG
DE RUEHBR #0050 0101511
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101511Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7803
INFO RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 3669
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 8972
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 6081
RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000050 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN

STATE PASS TO EPA/CHMACON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EMIN ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR
SUBJECT: Brazil Supports UNEP Voluntary Mercury Partnerships

REF: (A) 06 STATE 202028, (B) BRASILIA 12, (C) 06 BRASILIA 1042
UNCLAS BRASILIA 000050

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

OES/ENV FOR HFINMAN

STATE PASS TO EPA/CHMACON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EMIN ETRD PREL SENV KSCA BR
SUBJECT: Brazil Supports UNEP Voluntary Mercury Partnerships

REF: (A) 06 STATE 202028, (B) BRASILIA 12, (C) 06 BRASILIA 1042

1.(SBU) On January 9, 2007, SCI Officer delivered demarche (reftel
A) to Otavio Trindade of the Ministry of External Relations'
Division for Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development (tel:
55 61 3411-9295; otavio@mre.gov.br). Trindade said that the GOB
supports UNEP voluntary mercury partnerships and opposes any binding
resolutions with regard to UNEP mercury pollution reduction
programs. Trindade added that the GOB does not intend to advance
any new proposals in this regard at the February UNEP GC meeting in
Nairobi. Note: This reaffirms the GOB position communicated to the
USG at the recent Common Agenda for the Environment Meeting in
December. End note.

2.(SBU) With regard to GOB support for the establishment of
non-binding targets/reductions in mercury pollution, a global
phase-out of mercury mining, and/or a global prohibition of mercury
exports, Trindade requested more time to consult internally before
communicating an official GOB position. Note: Given the GOB's
opposition to binding measures for mercury pollution reduction, the
GOB may support non-binding targets, but it is not clear whether it
would support the latter two potential measures. Trindade did say,
however, that these latter two appear to be contradictory to the
GOB's general stance on non-binding mercury pollution reduction
measures. End Note. Post will follow-up with the GOB and report
back via septel.

3.(SBU) Brazil does have at least one domestic program underway
aimed at reducing mercury poisoning from artisinal mining in the
Tapajos Basin in the Amazon. The program was initiated by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is currently working
with Post and the Ministry of Environment (MMA) to formalize this
cooperation through, for example, a non-binding instrument such as
an exchange of letters of cooperation (reftel B). Moreover, Brazil
is a participant in the OESI funded Mercury Regional Program for
members of the ACTO (Amazon Country Treaty Organization),which aims
to establish closer collaboration on mercury contamination in Latin
America, specifically in the Amazon (reftel C).

SOBEL