Arusha - Green Customs Initiative

the Montreal Protocol and the efforts of international community in phasing out ODS, by
showing satellite images taken between August and October 2003 which rather indicated
considerable recovery in the size of the ozone hole.
He further outlined some of the adverse effects of ozone layer depletion to human health and
the environment. These include: increased incidences of sunburns and skin cancers, eye
cataract (eye disorder), suppression of immune systems, reduced plant yields and nutritional
value, interruption to the marine food chain (due to reduced productivity of phytoplankton,
zooplankton, juvenile fish, crabs and shrimps which will in turn threaten all marine life and
reduce fisheries productivity), faster degradation of certain materials including many paints
and plastics, and increased global warming and climate change. He also pointed out that the
impacts of ozone layer depletion are real and mentioned as an example that on a clear day in
Cape Town, South Africa, the safe unprotected exposure time to sun would be about 12
minutes. He also displayed rather scary pictures of serious effects to human health that are
linked to ozone layer depletion including sunburn, skin cancer and eye cataracts.
He informed that, on recognizing of the consequential effects of ozone layer, the international
community adopted the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985
which calls for voluntary measures to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
On a step further, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was
adopted in 1987, which establishes a schedule to reduce the production and consumption of
CFCs and Halons by the year 2010; and the HCFCs by 2040. He also outlined the success of
the urgent actions taken by the international community by quoting a statement by the UN
Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan who said “perhaps the single most successful international
environmental agreement to date has been the Montreal Protocol, in which states accepted the
need to phase out use of ozone depleting substances”
Mr Salifu also indicated that as of June 2004, only 6 countries worldwide have not yet ratified
the Montreal Protocol and these are: Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Andorra, Holly Sea, San Marino
and Leste Timor. He further indicated that CFC production declined sharply following
adoption of the Montreal Protocol with the global production of CFCs and Halons falling over
1 million tonnes (92%) between 1986 and 2002. Furthermore, he mentioned common use and
application of ozone depleting substances as refrigerants, fire extinguishers, fumigants,
pesticides, foam blowing agents, cleaning solvents and aerosol propellants. He also outlined
some of the obligations by Parties to the Montreal Protocol which include meeting reduction
targets for different ODS, data reporting requirements, establishment of quota and licensing
system for regulating import and exports of ODS. In this regard, each Party is required to
regulate bulk ODS exports and imports; equipment containing ODS and ban on trade with
Non-Parties. Moreover, he said that enforcement of the Montreal Protocol is through the
national policies, regulations and directives that conform to the obligations under the Montreal
Protocol and all its amendments; Customs control and prevention of illegal trade and official
declarations of desire not to receive specific products. Mr. Salifu indicated key roles of
Customs Officers in implementing the Montreal Protocol such as the establishment of national
legislation, operation of licensing system, monitoring of legal and illegal trade reporting,
reporting national data in co-operation with National Ozone Unit as well as intelligence
gathering about ODS trade. In concluding his presentation, he noted that regional networks
and dialogue provide regular forum for Ozone Officers, Customs officers and Journalists to
exchange experiences, develop skills and share ideas. He further emphasized the involvement
of sub-regional trade and economic organisations such as EAC, ECOWAS, COMESA,
SADC, SACU, RILO and RSG.
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