Illegal CFC Trade On The Rise - Reuters

[hatrack]

NAIROBI - "Illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances
(ODS) is rising as the deadline for zero production and
consumption of such chemicals draws closer, a
London-based lobby group said yesterday.

The Environment Investigation Agency (EIA) released a
report at the United Nations Environmental Program
headquarters in Nairobi showing trends in global
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) smuggling and the need for
faster phase out under the Montreal Protocol.

EDIT

But some countries, especially developing nations, have not
yet complied with the protocol, which commits them to
phasing out CFCs - often used in refrigerators - and other
chemicals by certain dates.

"CFC trade is now growing in developing countries and the
reason for the illegal trade is simply economics," Ezra
Clark, a senior campaigner and investigator with EIA, said.
"As the phase out schedule for CFC progresses, legitimate
supply decreases and the market prices go up, offering
incentive to ODS smugglers keen to avoid duty and make a
fast profit."

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22815/story.htm