Ministers agree new curbs on ozone depleters

Users of the fungicide methyl bromide in developed countries have just seven years instead of twelve to phase out the substance following a ministerial meeting in Montreal in September to tighten global controls on ozone-depleting substances. A new licensing system will be introduced to combat illegal trade in CFCs and other ozone depleters. But the EC failed to persuade other countries to agree to production controls on HCFCs, or for other developed countries to bring their phase-out deadline forward from 2030 to 2015, in line with the EC.