Regulations

The annual world production in 1991 of Methyl bromide was estimated to 76 000 Tons. 70 % of this production was used for soil disinfestations against parasites and devastators. The rest was intended to the disinfestations of premises and critical usages. This production represents only 25 % of total exhalations of Bromide in the atmosphere. The rest comes from the production of marine algae in the oceans, forest fire and industrial exhalations. Worldly speaking, 41 % of this production is consumed in USA and Canada, 26 % in Europe, 24 % in Asia and South America, and 9 % in Africa. In addition to Chlorine and its by-products , Methyl Bromide is also a fearsome destroyer of Ozone layer. Thus, it is obligatory to proscribe its use. As a matter of fact, it was proved that between 30 and 85 % of the applied quantity in soil (between 20 000 and 50 000 tons around in 1992) reach the atmosphere. Though the economical stakes that Methyl bromide elimination lay, its ecological risks impose the research of other alternatives for soil disinfestations.

Montreal Protocole

In 1985, the 22nd of March, the governments of many countries signed up for a concentrated action to protect ozone layer via Vienna agreement. In 1987, the 22nd of September, Montreal protocol was adopted. It hallows the agreement of all parties on the common measurements allowing the elimination of destroying substances of ozone layer.

Since then, Montreal protocol was revised and amended during the official meetings of London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995) and Montreal (1997) and a multilateral fund was placed to attend developing countries (said of 5th article) to finance measurements allowing to apply it.

It is only in the 4th meeting of signatories of Montreal protocol in Copenhagen that Methyl bromide was held back in the list of destroying substances of ozone layer. A total elimination planning of this pesticide was placed and a new regulation of Methyl bromide consumption was concluded in the 9th meeting in Montreal in 1997.

Industrialized countries decided to move forward gradual elimination of this product in 2005 and developing countries in 2015. Morocco ratified Montreal protocol in 1992, the 9th of November, Vienna agreement and the two amendments of London and Copenhagen in 1995, the 13th of December. The application of the said ratification was in 1996, the 27th of March.

MONTREAL PROTOCOLE SPIRIT

Montreal protocol distinguished using countries of Methyl bromide between :

2nd article : Large countries producers and consumers of Methyl bromide for many years that should cease its use at the end of 2004.

5th article : countries newly users of Methyl bromide, that, with a gradual planning of elimination expected in 2015, they would receive a multilateral fund which :

• would attend them in democratizing scientific research of other products and their application techniques ;

• would attribute some subsidies to countries willing to join anticipated elimination programs and more accelerated than expected.

SITUATION REVERSAL FOR THE 2ND ARTICLE COUNTRIES

In 2005, where consumption should cease for the 2nd article countries, they found themselves in front of a situation reversal and an upsurge of demand. These countries that encouraged elimination of Methyl Bromide are now asking for its use under the critical usages, simply because they could not do without it. Often, there are no valid alternatives.

Therefore, they obtained for 2006, 27 % for Europe and 35 % of initial quota specified in 1991 in the United states.

These figures proves properly that Europeans have not found alternatives and have not given up the use of Methyl Bromide. In the contrary, they are back to use it more and more.

In 2007, the decision of the committee of 05/01/07 fixed the quantity of Methyl Bromide granted for the critical manners for the period of 1/1 on 31/12/07.
 

Thus, the countries of Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, and Poland are authorized to use in total 521 836 kg of bromide for the critical manners distributed as follows:
Spain              : 252 120  Kg

France            : 39 396    Kg

Italy                : 203 000 Kg

Netherlands  : 120        Kg

Poland            : 27 200  Kg

MOROCCAN ACTUAL SITUATION (PART OF THE 5TH ARTICLE COUNTRIES) :

In theory, Morocco is always in the phase of gradual elimination of the Methyl Bromide. However, it is necessary to note that the elimination of the Methyl Bromide was anticipated and foreseen in 2009 instead of 2015. So, the elimination was accelerated. So, we can note that more than 20 % per year is reduced:

Ø        In 2005, The Moroccan quota was 884,6 Tonnes (a reduction of 23,87% from the initial quota of 1162 tonnes)

Ø        In 2006, the quota was 649,6 Tonnes, an additional reduction of 20,23%.

Ø        In  2007, quota is 450 Tonnes, an additional reduction of 17,17%.

 Thus, the total eliminated till now is about 61,27%, meaning 712 tonnes.

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