The European Union is the world's largest supplier of mercury. The EU supplies about one-third of global demand for mercury. It is hoped that cutting that amount -- about 1,000 tonnes a year -- out of the world market will spur development of alternatives. EU has now decided to ban exports of the metal by 2011.

Existing EU legislation on mercury already covers emissions and limits its use in such products as batteries, cosmetics and pesticides.

The export ban will have the greatest effect on Spain, the only country in the EU where mercury is mined.

Most of the EU's exported mercury comes from the chlor- alkali industry, which produces chlorine. The sector is converting its plants away from mercury to abide by EU laws.

The EU Governments have given a green light to the European Commission to take actions concerning mercury, including an EU mercury export ban by 2011 at the latest is a positive indication for countries like India.

An EU export ban, coupled with other international actions as specified in the EU strategy document, will significantly reduce the disproportionate impacts of mercury exposure in India caused by abundant mercury supplies, inadequate resources to enforce existing regulations and virtually no incentive to upgrade outdated technologies.

According to the best information available, most of this mercury is destined for electrical equipment manufacturing, thermometer manufacturing or use at chlor-alkali plants. All three of these activities, as practiced in much of the developing world, result in substantial exposure to workers and their families, and pollution of the local and global environments.

Chlor-alkali plants operating in India release typically 10-50 times more mercury on a routine basis than plants operating in the EU-15 countries.

Consistent with the export ban, it has confirmed the need for parallel action to ensure the safe storage of mercury including that from decommissioned chlor-alkali production facilities, sending a global message stressing the need to break the mercury cycle by stopping any surpluses of mercury from re-entering the market.

They deserve appreciation for recognising that a viable EU mercury strategy is most effective within a global strategic framework. There is a need for the EU to continue and strengthen its international efforts to reduce mercury emissions and exposure on a global scale with a view to reaching a global phase-out of primary production, preventing surpluses re-entering the market, as well as to phase out mercury use and trade, taking into account the availability of alternatives.

Exposure to mercury is particularly harmful to young children. High levels can harm the nervous system, brain and kidneys and even cause death. Mercury is used to make caustic soda, batteries, thermometers and other products.

There is a need for EU to support countries like India, in promoting actions to reduce mercury emissions from coal combustion, among others.