P.M. BRIEFING : Conference OKs Chemical Secrecy
An international conference today agreed to safeguard company secrets on production of chemicals that harm the ozone layer, despite objections from environmentalist groups.
The corporate secrecy issue caused fiery debate at the U.N.-sponsored meeting reviewing the 1987 Montreal Protocol. The Montreal agreement, ratified by 36 countries, pledges drastic cuts in the production and use of chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are blamed for breaking down the ozone layer.
The secrecy resolution, put forward by the United States and the 12 nations of the European Economic Community, won unanimous approval, delegates said.
Greenpeace delegate Karen Coulter said the environmental group feared that greater secrecy could help countries hide the production of banned chemicals. Under the Montreal Protocol, the signatory nations must report to the U.N. Environmental Program on the production, consumption and trade in five chlorofluorocarbons and three halon gases.
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