Methyl Bromide Phase-out Project for the Strawberry Sector

The methyl bromide Alternatives project for the strawberry sector follows Lebanon’s ratification of the Montreal Protocol regarding the control of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS)

The project is executed by the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, managed by UNIDO and funded by the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol with a total grant of 1,264,450 USD. It has been launched in 2002. Its total duration is 7 years including a 2 years extension phase (2006-2008).

Major Achievements:

• By the end of 2007, the project has successfully phased out 77.33 metric tons of MeBr from the strawberry sector. These 77.33 tons represent 92% of the total MeBr quantity that needs to be eliminated by the project.
• They have been phased out by 70% of the strawberry farmers from 150 Ha of strawberry fields distributed over all Lebanese regions.
• On the legislative level, a draft decree with the aim of banning the imports of MeBr by the end of the project has been prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the National Ozone Unit and the sister UNDP MeBr Alternatives Project covering the vegetables, tobacco and cut flowers sectors.