Methyl bromide-handle with care

摘要

THE FAO-BASED INTERNATIONAL Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) have agreed to join forces to help countries better manage their handling of the ozone-damaging gas methyl bromide, used to treat plant products andthereby prevent the accidental spread of pests and diseases.In a Memorandum of Understanding signed recently, the IPPC and UNEP's Ozone Secretariat have committed to working closely to promote wider implementation of existing recommendations regarding methyl bromide (MeBr) as well as to support efforts to developalternative phytosanitary treatments to replace it, where possible.For decades MeBr offered a potent tool in combating the transboundary spread of plant pests and diseases, which can take a significant toll on food security, the livelihoods of farmers, and trade.