China completed the phase-out of Methyl Bromide in the commodity sector

The methyl bromide phase-out plan in China was divided into three sub-sectors; those are the commodity, the tobacco, and the agriculture sub-sectors. In the commodity sub-sector, China has achieved a remarkable result, phasing out 210 tonnes of methyl bromide in only three years, from 2004 to 2006, so becoming the first sub-sector free of methyl bromide in China. No methyl bromide is used in China for commodity fumigation since 1^st January 2007.

With a contribution of US $ 1.46 million from Multilateral Fund, the project provided equipment to 34 warehouses and technical assistance to 128. The equipment required for the remaining 94 warehouses and the infrastructures upgrading of all 128 warehouses have been funded by the Government of China, through the State Grain Administration; with a total funds of US $ 46.5 millions. Furthermore, a long term technical assistance and monitoring system has been set up to ensure the sustainable and permanent phase-out of methyl bromide.

The project completion ceremony was held in Beijing, China on 9th May 2008. The meeting was jointly hosted by the State Administration of Grain (SAG), the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). More