Switzerland wants toxic waste disposal help for Third World

The Swiss Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger on Thursday underlined the need for industrialised nations to assist Third World countries better in the disposal of toxic waste.

The Swiss Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger on Thursday underlined the need for industrialised nations to assist Third World countries better in the disposal of toxic waste.

Addressing a U.N. conference on hazardous waste in the Swiss city of Basel, Leuenberger said that tonnes of toxic materials had been exported to developing nations over the years, particularly chemical products such as pesticides.

Leuenberger said industrialised nations must accept their responsibility and help those countries in disposing of the waste in a professional manner.

Switzerland, according to the minister, is willing to take back hazardous waste to destroy it in its high-performance incinerator in Basel, which is the main headquarters of the Swiss pharmaceutical industry.

The week-long conference, which ends on Friday, is to decide whether to improve the transfer of waste management know-how to developing nations and establish a fund that would assist those countries, should they be faced with hazardous waste accidents.

The conference is also trying to agree on a new protocol that will define liability and compensation in cases where waste disposal damages people’s health and the environment.

Leuenberger supported the idea of such a protocol and called on conference delegates to show flexibility in defining an accord that might send an important signal to the world and might pave the way for further similar agreements on protecting the environment.

From staff and wire reports.