EU Commission proposes ban on mercury exports

February 12, 2005

2005-01-31

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The European Union, the world's largest supplier of mercury, is set

to ban exports of the metal by 2011 under new rules proposed by the

EU executive Commission on Monday, continuing the fight to curtail

its use worldwide.

The rules, which also seek to limit emissions, curb marketing of

mercury thermometers and ensure safe storage of mercury from

industrial plants, aim to reduce global supply and protect EU

citizens from mercury's effects.

Exposure to mercury is particularly harmful to young children. High

levels can harm the nervous system, brain and kidneys and even cause

death.

Stavros Dimas, EU commissioner in charge of the environment, told a

news conference the bloc had a responsibility to phase out trade in

mercury and reduce its presence around the world.

Mercury is used to make caustic soda, batteries, thermometers and

other products.

Existing EU legislation on mercury already covers emissions and

limits its use in such products as batteries, cosmetics and

pesticides.

The export ban will have the greatest effect on Spain, the only

country in the EU where mercury is mined, but Dimas said the

economic effects would be minimal.

Spain's Minas de Almaden said this month it did not plan to restart

its closed mine.

The EU supplies about one third of global demand for mercury. The

Commission hopes that cutting that amount -- about 1,000 tonnes a

year -- out of the world market will spur development of

alternatives.

Most of the EU's exported mercury comes from the chlor-alkali

industry, which produces chlorine. The sector is converting its

plants away from mercury to abide by EU laws.

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