CANADIAN VIEWS ON MERCURY AT UPCOMING UNEP

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000067

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES/ENV (HODAYAH FINMAN) AND WHA
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV AORC CA
SUBJECT: CANADIAN VIEWS ON MERCURY AT UPCOMING UNEP
GOVERNING COUNCIL

REF: 06 STATE 202028


1. ESTH Counselor discussed Canadian positions on the UNEP
Mercury Program with Grace Howland, manager for heavy metals
in the Hazardous Air Pollutants Branch at Environment Canada,
on January 12. Howland expects to attend the UNEP Governing
Council meeting in Nairobi next month.


2. Howland reported that Canada would not support a proposal
to begin negotiations on a legally binding treaty to control
mercury as currently configured, but admitted Canada is still
studying the issue. That being said, Canada fully supports
the partnership approach favored by the U.S. and participates
actively in and financially supports four of the five
partnerships (except for artisanal and small scale gold
mining),and recently hosted a meeting of the fate and
transport research partnership, which included participation
by Italy, Japan, and the EPA, among others. Canada agrees
with the U.S. view that negotiating a binding agreement would
be a lengthy and costly endeavor and that partnerships
provide a mechanism to involve the private sector and other
stakeholders in activities that produce near-term results.
Howland stressed ongoing close consultation with the U.S. and
expects to participate in a JUSCANZ mercury teleconference
next week.


3. Like the U.S., Canada no longer has any primary mercury
mining, and is less interested in the establishment of a goal
to reduce the use of mercury than work on atmospheric
emissions. Canada is still developing its own views on
limiting trade in mercury.

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http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa

WILKINS