"Rich Countries Reluctant To Help Finance Mercury Treaty: UN Officials"

"Crisis-weary developed countries' reluctance to help finance a ground-breaking international treaty to rein in the use of health-hazardous mercury is threatening the accord, UN officials warned Thursday."



"'Because of the financial crisis ... there's a showdown taking place here,' a UN official said of ongoing negotiations in Geneva, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Developed nations were dragging their feet on the difficult matter of financing, he said, pointing out that several had objected to being asked to foot part of the bill to help the far harder-impacted developing nations transition away from mercury."

AFP had the story January 17, 2013.

SEE ALSO:

"Mercury Emissions Threaten Ocean, Lake Food Webs" (EHN)

"Mercury Treaty: Holding Our Breath as More Damage Shown" (GenevaLunch)

"Study finds unsafe mercury levels in 84 percent of all fish" (CBS News)

"More Than 130 Nations Begin Mercury Treaty Talks" (AP)

Source: AFP, 01/18/2013