Minamata Convention on Mercury: MPs Examine Bill On Regulations, Restrictions

Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly on November 12, 2018 examined bill No 1036/PJL/ AN which seeks to authorises the President of the Republicto ratify the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted on October 10, 2013 at Kumamoto, Japan.

The draft bill defended by the Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development, Hele Pierre and assisted by the Minister of External Re lations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, is to protect human health from the devastating effects of the so-called Minamata disease which slows down child development and causes toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems.

The discussions started in the presence of the Vice Prime Minister in charge of Relations with the Assemblies, Amadou Ali. The Convention which comprises 35 articles, requires State parties to adopt regulations and impose restrictions where possible mercury atmospheric emissions.

Going by an explanary state ment of the said bill, concerned parties are expected to adopt regulations imposing the reduction of releases of mercury and it's related compounds to land and water, ensure the importation and exportation of mercury is carr...