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Press Release by the Basel Action Network

SEATTLE, WA, 17 May 2002 -- For immediate release: Germany Receives Environmental Award: First Country to Ratify 4 Treaties to End Toxic Pollution

Germany was given an award by the BaselAction Network (BAN), a global watchdog organization, today for being the world's first nation to have ratified all four treaties in the "Package of Four" that are seen as the most important global legal strategies to end toxic pollution.

"These treaties, once implemented, will create real incentive for industry to cease the production and release of toxic wastes and products," said Richard Gutierrez, Toxics Policy Analyst for BAN. "Germany is to be applauded for being the first of what we hope will be many countries to ratify this package to end pollution."

These treaties are: 1) The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1989) together with its Ban Amendment (1995); 2) The Protocol to the London Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste and Other Matter (1996); 3) The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (1998); and 4) The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

Collectively these treaties close-off cheap and dirty dumping outlets for toxic waste such as via dumping or incinerating industrial or radioactive wastes in the world's oceans or in developing countries. They will require that 12 of the world's worst pollutants are phased-out of trade and production and that other dangerous pesticides will not be traded without the consent of the recipient countries.

BAN keeps a full Country Report Card posted on the Internet (http://www.ban.org/country_status/report_card.html). Countries that have ratified 3 of the four treaties include: The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. BAN noted that unfortunately certain notable nations have received a failing grade by not having ratified even one of the four agreements: Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United States.

To view a copy of the award which will be sent to the Environment Minister of Germany by post, visit the Basel Action Network Website at: www.ban.org/award.pdf

For more information contact: Richard Gutierrez or Jim PuckettBasel Action Network (BAN), Phone: 1.206.652.5555

Fax: 1.206.652.5750 E-mail: rgutierrez@ban.org, jpuckett@ban.org