15 May 2003– Environmental organizations including Greenpeace and a coalition of other international groups claim that a proposed shipbreaking yard in the West African country of Guinea Bissau could have an adverse effect on a nature reserve in the country that has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

In a recent statement, Greenpeace claimed Spanish shipping companies were presenting the idea as an environmentally sound opportunity for development, and had signed an intention protocolwith the government of Guinea Bissau to build a shipbreaking yard and tax-free industrial area in the heart of the nature reserve.

"A shipbreaking yard in Guinea-Bissau will put the lives and environment of local people at serious risk," said Marietta Harjono, Greenpeaces toxics campaigner. "We know from experience in India, Pakistan and other developing countries that end of life vessels contain hazardous materials and oil residues. The shipping industry must not be allowed to send hazardous waste to developing countries, and especially to a site of such environmental importance."

Harjono said she thought it was "remarkable" that the project was being planned at the very moment when the IMO, a UN body, is preparing guidelines regulating shipbreaking.

Greenpeace quoted a Spanish company DDY de Comercio Exterior and the government of Guinea Bissau as saying that the yard would be on the island of Bolama, part of the Bijagos Archipelago.

Despite its importance as a nature reserve, Greenpeace and the International Coalition of Friends of Guinea-Bissau say they believe the area is attractive to Spanish companies for one key reason: Guinea-Bissau has not signed the Basel convention.