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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

UK Ratification of the 1998 Protocol to the
1979 Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution
on Heavy Metals - Consultation

Note: This consultation has now closed. A summary of responses has now been published. The following material has been left in place for reference/archive purposes.

Introduction

Defra is asking for views on a draft strategy to implement the 1998 Protocol on Heavy Metals in England and in collaboration with the Devolved Administrations in the rest of the UK.

The UK signed the Protocol on Heavy Metals on 24 June 1998. The draft strategy sets out the requirements of the Protocol and proposes measures for the UK to meet these commitments. The Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Department of Environment Northern Ireland will be issuing separate consultation documents in their administrative areas.

The Protocol focuses on emissions of three heavy metals: cadmium, lead and mercury. The main requirement for signatories to the Protocol is to reduce annual emissions to air of cadmium, lead and mercury to below 1990 levels; as well as apply controls to certain stationary sources and products. Defra believes that these commitments are mostly already met by the UK under existing legislation. Any additional measures will be only to act as a safeguard to ensure that all elements of the Protocol are met.

Interested parties and stakeholders have until 11 June 2002 to respond to the paper.

Consultation Paper

The consultation paper is available in the following formats:

Published 20 March 2002 / Updated 16 September 2002
Air Quality Index
Environmental Protection Consultation Index
Environmental Protection Index
Defra Home Page