As industrialized countries approach the phase out of methyl bromide, Article 5 countries increasingly risk the danger of becoming the dumping ground for the methyl bromide industry, and remaining dependent on an environmentally unsustainable technology.

It is entirely feasible from a technological perspective for Article 5 countries to consider the following phase-out schedule:

• 50% cut by 2001 (this can be achieved rapidly by improving current practices and with adequate financial and technical support)
• phase out of major uses by 2003 or sooner if more technological and financial support is made available; and
• a complete phase out by 2006 or sooner with adequate support. To facilitate an early phase out schedule and to lessen the incentives for the methyl bromide industry to create new dependency on MeBr in Article 5 countries the baseline dates should be changed to the historic period.

The Multilateral Fund must provide adequate funding and technical assistance for transferring skills and know-how on alternatives around the world, including from one Article 5 country to another. For example, Colombia's expertise in using alternative for cut flowers could be invaluable for other countries, such as Kenya.

It is important that companies in industrialized countries are discouraged, through legal and financial measures from relocating their obsolete methyl bromide production facilities or technology in developing countries. Such dumping of obsolete technology would undermine the intent of the Montreal Protocol.

At minimum, countries should require total transparency from industry in terms of production and consumption data in both Article 2 and Article 5 countries.