POPS ENABLING ACTIVITIES PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR URUGUAY

PROJECT IDENTIFIERS 1. Project Number: 3. GEF Implementing Agency: Not yet assigned United Nations Environment Programme 2. Project Name: Enabling activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): National Implementation Plan for Uruguay 4. Country eligibility: Uruguay signed the Stockholm Convention on 23rd May, 2001 5. Country: Uruguay

6. Name of GEF national operational focal point and date the endorsement letter (attached) was signed: Ing. Luis Santos, Ministerio de Vivienda, Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio Ambiente, Dirección Nacional de Medio Ambiente; Unidad de Cambio Climático; Rincón 422, Piso 3, Oficina 5.; Montevideo – Uruguay Tel. (598 2) 917 0752, Fax. (598 2) 916 1895, E-Mail: [email protected] The endorsement letter was signed on 19th March 2002. SUMMARY OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES 7. Project objectives: Within the overall objective of the Stockholm Convention, which is to protect human health and the environment from POPs, the project will: i) Prepare the ground for implementation of the Convention in Uruguay; ii) Assist Uruguay in meeting its reporting and other obligations under the Convention; and iii) Strengthen Uruguay’s national capacity to manage POPs and chemicals generally.

8. Project activities: The proposed project activities will follow the step-wise process set out in the GEF “Initial Guidelines for Enabling Activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants”. In summary, these are: i) Determination of coordinating mechanisms and organization of process; ii) Establishment of a POPs inventory an assessment of national infrastructure and capacity; iii) Setting of priorities and determination of objectives; iv) Formulation of a National Implementation Plan and specific Action Plans; and v) Endorsement of the National Implementation Plan by stakeholders.

9. Project duration: 2 years

10. Project expected outcomes: i) Assessment of national capacity to implement the Stockholm Convention; ii) Preliminary inventories of POPs; iii) National Implementation Plan, including specific Action Plans and strategies required under Articles 5 and 6; including an Action Plan on the Management of Pesticides, Mirex in particular; iv) Strengthened POPs management infrastructure; and v) Strengthened capacity to meet reporting obligations under the Stockholm Convention.

11. Estimated total budget including in-kind contribution from the Government of Uruguay:

i 563,000 USD

12. Amount being requested from the GEF:

499,000 USD

INFORMATION ON INSTITUTION SUBMITTING PROJECT BRIEF 13. Information on the organization in the country submitting the proposal:

Toxic Substances Department Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment Rincón 422 1er piso CP 11000 Montevideo – Uruguay Tel. 598 2 916 8287 / Fax. 598 2 916 8288

The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment, through its Department for Toxic Substances, is the lead agency responsible for chemicals management in general and Persistent Organic Pollutants in particular. It hosts the Stockholm Convention focal point and is the proposed focal point jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC). It is also the focal point for the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS). It has actively worked in the development of the National Profile. It has lead the document: “A preliminary assessment of Uruguay’s state of readiness to meet the Stockholm POPs Convention requirements”, and is responsible for developing and enforcing environmental regulations.

14. Information on the proposed executing organization (if different from above. The grant has to be executed by an organization in the requesting country):

The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment will be the lead executing organization in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder coordinating committee comprising the Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, Health, and Economy and Finance (Customs), environmental NGOs, private sector representatives (through the Industry and Agrochemical Chamber) and the University of the Republic. The National Stockholm Convention Focal Point will also serve as a Project Coordinating Unit.

15. Date the proposal was submitted to a GEF Implementing/Executing Agency: 19/03/2002

16. Date the proposal was submitted to the GEF Secretariat:20/5/2002

17. Date the proposal was approved:

18. Date of first Disbursement:

INFORMATION ON IMPLEMENTING AGENCY: 19. Implementing/Executing Agency contact person:

Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Director, GEF Co-ordination Division, UNEP, Nairobi, tel. (254 2) 624 165; fax (254 2) 624 041: ahmed.djoghlaf @unep.org

ii PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The proposed enabling activities for Uruguay are consistent with the GEF “Initial Guidelines for Enabling Activities for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants” (GEF/C.17/4) approved by the GEF Council, May 2001.

URUGUAY’S BACKGROUND

The Uruguayan Constitution provides for the right to a clean environment and the Congress has enacted certain enabling legislation for its protection. Aside from restrictions on pesticide import there are no specific laws addressing Persistent Organic Pollutants. The main legislation in place in Uruguay relevant to the POPs situation is Act Nº 17.283, the “General Law on Environmental Protection”. This law sets out a framework for action on the basis of outlining policies, strategies and guiding principles. It establishes pollution prevention as a priority. The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment (MVOTMA) through DINAMA (National Environmental Direction) has the legislatively assigned lead responsibility, not only for the environmental protection, but also public health threats arising from environmental issues as well.

Uruguay has participated actively on the global environmental scene. It is a Party to several environmental treaties, including the Convention on Biodiversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, CITES, Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Ship Pollution (MARPOL). Uruguay has also signed, but not yet ratified, the Rotterdam Convention (PIC) and the Stockholm Convention (POPs).

Uruguay has the following overall priorities and objectives for POPs management:

 Capacity building and institutional strengthening to comply with the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants;  Pesticides project (specially a Mirex subprogram);  PCB phase out program;  Management of stockpiles and contaminated sites (for both Stockholm Convention products and those with POPs characteristics); and  Identification of human health and environmental issues of concern for Uruguay.

The following activities demonstrate Uruguay’s efforts to manage and control POPs:

 Uruguay has developed its National Profile on Chemicals Management.  Regular analyses are being made by Ministry of Cattle, Agriculture and Fishing. They analyse meat and milk and maintain a data-base since the early nineties.  The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment made a survey on PCBs, helped the electric Utilities companies with the Environmental Management System (EMS) of PCBs. The Ministry made all the arrangements related to the export of PCBs and their disposal according to international conventions.  The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment has completed the national inventory of dioxins and furans with the help of UNEP Chemicals. The Toolkit developed by UNEP chemicals was used for this purpose. At the moment Uruguay has its first approximation of dioxins and furans emissions.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

1 Within the overall objective of the Stockholm Convention, which is to protect human health and the environment from POPs, the project will i) Prepare the ground for implementation of the Convention in Uruguay; ii) Assist Uruguay in meeting its reporting and other obligations under the Convention; and iii) Strengthen Uruguay’s national capacity to manage POPs and chemicals in general.

PROJECT OUTCOMES i) Assessment of national capacity to implement the Stockholm Convention; ii) Preliminary inventories of POPs; iii) National Implementation Plan required under Article 7 of the Convention, and specific Action Plans and strategies required under Articles 5 and 6; including an action plan on the management of Mirex. iv) Strengthened POPs management infrastructure; and v) Strengthened capacity to meet reporting obligations under the Stockholm Convention.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

STEP 1. DETERMINATION OF COORDINATING MECHANISMS AND ORGANISATION OF PROCESS

Output 1.1 PROJECT COORDINATION UNIT AND NATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED AND OPERATIONAL AND THE ROLES OF THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS DEFINED

1.1.1 The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment will establish the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) responsible for the project execution, identify and appoint a National Project Coordinator (NPC) and the core project team. 1.1.2 A National Coordination Committee (NCC) will be established based on stakeholder analysis, comprising of the relevant government departments and other POPs stakeholders including:  Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment;  Ministry of Cattle, Agriculture and Fishing;  Ministry of Public Health;  Ministry of Economy and Finance (where Customs is);  University of Uruguay (through the Thematic Environmental Network of the University of the Republic: RETEMA);  Environmental NGOs;  Chamber of Industry; and  Chamber of Agrochemicals. 1.1.3 The roles and responsibilities of the members of the National Coordination Committee for the various aspects of POPs management will be identified, clarified and assigned.

2 1.1.4 Capacities and needs of PCU and NCC as well as Uruguay’s Stockholm Convention Focal Point will be assessed, and information, training, equipment and administrative support provided accordingly. Output 1.2 AGREED WORK-PLAN AND TIMETABLE

1.2.1 A detailed work-plan and timetable for implementation will be finalised by the Project Coordination Unit and endorsed by the NCC.

Output 1.3 COMMITMENT OF MAJOR STAKEHOLDERS SECURED

1.3.1 Organisation of a high-level inception workshop attended by representatives of the main stakeholders. Support from national and international experts is envisaged. This workshop will address amongst other issues the following:  Present the national and international context relevant to POPs management;  Present the objectives of the project and anticipated results and outcomes;  Secure the commitment of all stakeholders involved in the management of POPs and clarify and obtain agreements regarding their roles and responsibilities and resource commitments. Output 1.4 RAISED AWARENESS ON POPS RELATED PROBLEMS/TRAINING PROGRAMS

1.4.1 Training for stakeholders foreseen to be directly involved in NIP development and in future activities on POPs related problems and improve their awareness on issues relevant to the Stockholm Convention. 1.4.2 Organisation of national public awareness raising activities such as workshops, dissemination of relevant materials, information campaign in the media. 1.4.3 Exposure and risk assessment training on POPs for stakeholders at different levels.

STEP 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF A POPS INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPACITY

Output 2.1 UPDATE OF NATIONAL PROFILE FOR POPS MANAGEMENT

2.1.1 This step will be initiated with a workshop that will define responsibilities and activities and establish the task teams responsible for providing the necessary data and for the elaboration of various sections of the database. This step will also review and update the National Profile particularly those sections relevant to POPs. The workshop will include the main stakeholders and be attended by national and international experts. 2.1.2 The NCC will coordinate and lead the revision and update of the National Profile, specifically the development of new sections related to POPs and it may be extended to other toxic substances within the country with similar properties as POPs (e.g. hexacholorocyclohexane and isomers, pentachlorophenol). This revision/update will comprise, inter alia, assessments of:  Actual legal framework, effectiveness of legislative, regulatory and enforcement infrastructure for POPs management and its capacity to achieve compliance with the Convention. Identification of new regulations needed, ban on use/ commerce/ import/exemptions for POPs (e.g. PCB, Mirex). Establish import, export, and transit regulations. This item will include the legal evaluation and proposal for complying with the Stockholm Convention;

3  Relevant activities of industry, public interest groups and the scientific community;  Existing human and financial resources;  Technical capacity: POPs monitoring/research, capacity to establish Best Available Techniques (BAT), Best Environmental Practices (BEP) for unintentionally produced POPs source categories. This item will include the review of existing responsibilities and the degree to which these would satisfy national requirements under the Stockholm Convention;  Laboratories and inventory: existing infrastructure, chemical analytical capacity, training needs at local and international level;  Inventory of existing studies on different matrices: soil, water, food, human tissues, consumer goods, and wastes/residues;  The implementation of relevant international agreements. 2.1.3 Circulation of the draft National Profile to the major stakeholders for comment and endorsement through a national workshop.

Output 2.2 PRELIMINARY NATIONAL POPS INVENTORY

2.2.1 Establish task teams responsible for preparing inventories of all the POPs chemicals and prepare their Terms of Reference and provide necessary training for task teams. National experts will facilitate this work with the assistance of international expert(s). 2.2.2 The task teams will hold regular meetings to establish and update the inventories covering:  Production, distribution, use, import and export of POPs;  Obsolete POPs stocks and wastes, POPs-containing articles in use and contaminated sites: An initial inventory was already done in Uruguay, which will be revised/updated and a survey/database of PCB containing equipment will be elaborated accordingly;  Sources and releases of unintentionally produced POPs and estimates of future releases: As Uruguay has already done its initial dioxins and furans inventory, only PCBs, and HCB releases will be estimated as well as identification/evaluation of impacts of major sources. The present dioxin/furan inventory will be updated as well;  POPs releases into environment and estimates of future releases;  POPs presence, levels and trends in humans and the environment; Compilation of existing data and research done on this issue. 2.2.3 Independent review of the inventories by an international expert. 2.2.4 Organisation of a national workshop to validate the national POPs inventory. 2.2.5 Printing and widespread dissemination, including through electronic media, of the National Profile for POPs management and the POPs Inventory.

Output 2.3 ESTABLISHMENT OF A POPS INFORMATION SYSTEM

2.3.1 An Information System on POPs will be designed and put in place, integrating the data available at relevant ministries and institutions. The information system should be regularly updated and allow rapid access to information. It should enable the

4 Stockholm Convention Focal Point in Uruguay meet all reporting obligations under the Convention. An up-to-date database tool and proper electronic environment (local network and Internet access) should support the information system.

Output 2.4 ASSESSMENT OF POPs CAPACITY BUILDING AND INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING NEEDS

2.4.1 Assessment of needs for strengthening institutional capacities for the environmentally sound management of POPs. 2.4.2 Assessment of economic and social implications of POPs use, reduction in use and the dissemination and promotion of alternative technologies. 2.4.3 Assessment of enforcement capacity to ensure compliance and capacity for research and development. Chemical analytical capacity will be assessed, in particular:  Laboratories and data evaluation: existing infrastructure, commitment and competence, monitoring capacity, chemical analytical capacity;  Needs for strengthening of human resources through training program and other capacity building activities. Output 2.5 HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF CONCERN IN URUGUAY IDENTIFIED

2.5.1 Identification of POPs related human health and environmental issues of concern, assessment of the national capacity for risk assessment, training on risk assessment. Basic risk assessment as a basis for prioritisation of future action taking into account potential releases to the environment and size of exposed population.

STEP 3. PRIORITY SETTING AND DETERMINATION OF OBJECTIVES

Output 3.1 CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY ASSIGNMENT

3.1.1 PCU in close co-operation with the National Coordinating Committee will elaborate an all-encompassing document based on findings in Step II and a draft set of proposals for criteria for setting national priorities for POPs management. This, taking into account priorities defined in the national environmental action plan, POPs specific findings of the Step II, and areas of special environmental interest that may be affected by POPs. Training on priority setting will be provided. 3.1.2 Organise multi-stakeholder review of prioritisation criteria, and a high level national workshop for the endorsement of the prioritisation criteria taking into account social, economic and environmental factor and the availability of alternatives. Output 3.2 NATIONAL OBJECTIVES IN RELATION TO PRIORITY POPs ISSUES

3.2.1 PCU in close co-operation with the National Co-ordination Committee, and based on the endorsed prioritisation criteria will draft a set of national objectives with regard to priority POPs management. 3.2.2 Organise multi-stakeholder review of national objectives, and a high level national workshop for the endorsement of the national objectives in relation to priority POPs issues.

STEP 4. FORMULATION OF NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND ACTION PLANS ON SPECIFIC POPS

5 Output 4.1 IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF POPS MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

4.1.1 Establish task teams to develop plans for addressing specific POPs taking into account priorities established in Step III. 4.1.2 Organise a workshop on the development of an implementation plan. National experts will facilitate the workshop with the assistance of international expertise. 4.1.3 Provide training/seminar by experts from institutions, which have extensive experience in the field of sound POPs management to members of the teams tasked with the development of the NIP. 4.1.4 Identify POPs management options, including those relevant to the elimination and reduction of the risks to human health and the environment. 4.1.5 Determine the need for the introduction of alternative technologies, including any requirements for technology transfer. 4.1.6 Provide training in cost/benefit analysis of the various options for POPS management. 4.1.7 Evaluation of the costs and benefits of identified management options. Output 4.2 DEVELOPMENT OF A DRAFT NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

4.2.1 Organisation of a planning workshop to define the objectives and anticipated results of the National Implementation Plan and to prepare the Terms of Reference for the teams tasked with preparing the NIP and specific associated action plans. 4.2.2 Elaboration of elements of the NIP and relevant action plans by the task teams including a timetable for its implementation. Setting a schedule for regular meetings of the National Co-ordinating Committee for follow-up, evaluation and revision of the NIP draft. The core NIP elements will be as follows:  ACTION PLAN ON PESTICIDES: POPs pesticides have not been used for two decades in Uruguay except for Mirex, therefore a specific action plan on Mirex (still in use) is required. The program will include feasibility studies and evaluation of using Mirex versus alternatives. These studies will include identification and quantification of the uses of this pesticide, environmental and health impacts of Mirex use, implications of alternatives use, risk analysis, requirements for changes of the legal framework. They will also include assessment of social and economic implications of Mirex use/reduction/ban including the need for the enhancement of local commercial infrastructure for distributing benign alternative technologies/products. Pesticide risk assessment (for pesticides covered by the Stockholm Convention) and use of prevention program (for pesticides with POPs properties) will be conducted as well.  ACTION PLAN ON PCB EQUIPMENT/PRODUCTS PHASE OUT: Survey of PCB in equipment and products elaborated in Step II will be the base for this Action Plan. Evaluation of substitution options or alternative process, techniques and/or technologies. Elaboration of a phase out program to comply with the deadlines set by the Stockholm Convention.  ACTION PLAN ON UNINTENTIONAL POPs EMISSION (PCBs, HCB, Dioxins, Furans). Elaboration of an action plan to reduce/eliminate unintentionally released POPs. To include activities such as training needs on processes (from the chemical and technological point of view) where unintentional POPs emissions occur, focussed on options of minimising releases (e.g. changes in the technology, alternative processes). Identification of needs to phase in BAT and BEP as

6 required/promoted under the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Assessment on the need of developing emission standards for unintentionally released POPs.  POPs STOCKPILES AND CONTAMINATED SITES MANAGEMENT ISSUES Activities and assessments related to this issue will be undertaken after the completion of an inventory for all POPs and will cover the issue of management of POPs stockpiles, wastes and products. The activities will also include the assessment of opportunities for in country disposal of obsolete stocks, environmental evaluation and establishment of priorities. Development of a remediation strategic plan and site plan approval. 4.2.3 Establishment of NIP targets, timeframes for their achievement, and measurable indicators of success. 4.2.4 Evaluation of costs related to the implementation of the NIP, including an evaluation of incremental costs. 4.2.5 Independent review of draft NIP by international expert. 4.2.6 Elaboration of a portfolio of projects for submission to decision-makers and to potential funding agencies and donor bodies. 4.2.7 Development of a national strategy for information exchange, education, communication and awareness raising, taking into account risk perceptions regarding POPs among the public.

STEP 5. ENDORSEMENT OF NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN BY STAKEHOLDERS

Output 5.1 THE NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AGREED UPON AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND COMMITMENTS OF VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS TO SECURE ITS IMPLEMENTATION

5.1.1 Submission of the draft NIP to the major stakeholder for comments and suggestions. Revision of the document as necessary and appropriate. 5.1.2 Preparation of an information document for decision makers, the private sector and public interest groups that includes requests for resources (human, financial, technical, etc.) required for implementation. 5.1.3 Organisation of a workshop for decision-makers, potential donors, the private sector and other key partners to approve the final draft of the NIP and obtain the necessary commitment from the stakeholders. 5.1.4 The NIP is finalised and widely distributed through various means.

STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION AND PARTICIPATION

The major stakeholders in Uruguay are:

 Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment;  Ministry of Cattle, Agriculture and Fishing;  Ministry of Public Health;  Ministry of Economy and Finance (Customs);

7  University of Uruguay (through the Thematic Environmental Network of the University of the Republic: RETEMA);  Environmental NGOs;  Chamber of Industry; and  Chamber of Agrochemicals. They will participate through their involvement in the multi-stakeholder National Co-ordination Committee. Representatives of academia, Environmental NGOs and other various sectors of the industry that use, distribute and dispose POPs will also be involved in executing the project.

In support of capacity building the task teams will be composed, whenever possible, from existing specialised institutions/agencies already appointed by the respective ministries to perform the specific tasks.

8 INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

Dissemination of information is key to the success of the project, which depends greatly on the capacity to secure involvement and commitment from all stakeholders. It is recognized that dissemination of information among stakeholders, and from Government departments to civil society and the private sector should take place throughout the course of the project. This relaying of information is one of the purposes of having the multi-stakeholder committee. In addition, particular effort is to be placed at the beginning of the project to secure stakeholders’ buy-in, and at the end of the project to secure stakeholders commitment to implementation of the NIP.

An information dissemination co-ordination body established in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment will act as a co-ordinating medium and disseminate information using the following methods:

 Through holding meetings with all relevant stakeholders;  Through conducting awareness raising and capacity building seminars and training workshops for the relevant experts and decision makers;  Through wide dissemination of the NIP and its components (e.g. inventories, evaluations) to all relevant stakeholders;  Through making data and information available to requesting institutions or individuals;  Through the establishment of an Internet site;  Through the active involvement in the distribution of information by the local branch offices of the relevant Ministries;  Through the use of public communications tools and media such as public broadcasting, newspapers and other publications to disseminate information and raise awareness;  Through the inclusion of relevant information in educational material.

9 DELIVERABLES

The following reports will be produced in the course of the project:

Type/Title of the report Delivery Time Language of the (pm1) reports Progress Reports First Quarterly Report 04 En Second Quarterly Report 07 En Fourth Quarterly Report 13 En Fifth Quarterly Report 17 En Sixth Quarterly Report 19 En Seventh Quarterly Report 20 En Final Report 24 En Technical Reports 1. Activity Nº 1 report 05 Spanish/En summary 2. National Profile for POPs management 08 Spanish/En summary 3. Initial POPs Inventories in the Uruguay 12 Spanish/En summary 4. Objectives and priorities for POPs 15 Spanish/En summary 5. Draft POPs National Implementation Plan 21 Spanish 6. Final POPs National Implementation Plan 23 Spanish/En

WORKSHOPS

At least seven stakeholder workshops will be held in the course of the project: W-1 to establish the National Coordination Committee (02 pm) W-2 to review the project work plan and implementation arrangements (04 pm) W-3 to review the first technical report (08 pm) W-4 to review the second technical report (11 pm) W-5 to review the prioritisation and ToR for the POPs NIP (13 pm) W-6 to review the draft POPs National Implementation Plan (20 pm) W-7 to review the final POPs National Implementation Plan (24 pm)

1 Project month

10 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR URUGUAY PROJECT MONTHS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 ACTIVITIES

I. Determination of Coordinating Mechanisms and Organization of Processes ¨ 1.1.1 Designation of PCU and NPC 1.1.2 National Coordination Committee establishment 1.1.3 Assignment of roles and responsibilities 1.1.4 Strengthening of Stockholm Convention Focal Point, PCU &NCC 1.2.1 Finalization of work plan and timetable 1.3.1 Organise broad-based stakeholder inception workshop 1.4.1 National awareness raising activities National Coordination Committee meetings x x x x x x x II. Establishment of POPs Inventory and Assessment of Infrastructure &Capacity ¨ ¨ 2.1.1 National Profile for POPs management inception 2.1.2 Development of National Profile 2.1.3 Review and endorsement of draft National Profile § 2.2.1 Inception of inventory work 2.2.2 Development of inventory 2.2.3 Independent review of inventory 2.2.4 Validation and endorsement of the inventory § 2.2.5 Dissemination of National Profile and POPs Inventory 2.3.1 Development of a POPs Information system 2.4.1 Institutional capacity needs assessment 2.4.2 Assessment of enforcement capacity, laboratory and research &development capacity 2.4.3 Economic and social implication of POPs 2.5.1 Identification of health and environment issues III Priority Setting and Determination of Objectives ¨ 3.1.1 Elaboration on first draft of national priorities 3.1.2 Review and endorsement of the prioritisation 3.2.1 Elaboration on first draft of national objectives 3.2.2 Review and endorsement of national objectives § IV Prepare draft National Implementation Plan ¨ ¨ 4.1.1 Establish task teams to develop different sections of NIP 4.1.2 Organize a workshop on NIP development § 4.1.3 Training on sound POPs management Legend: 4.1.4 Identification on POPs management options ¨ 4.1.5 Determine the need for alternative technologies Progress report Provide training in cost/benefit analysis 4.1.6 § 4.1.7 Evaluation of the costs and benefits 4.2.1 Organization of NIP planning workshop Technical report 4.2.2 Elaboration of the NIP, regular meetings of the task teams § 4.2.3 Establishment of NIP targets, time frames for their achievement, indicators of success 4.2.4 Evaluation of NIP implementation costs 4.2.5 International independent review of the NIP 4.2.6 Elaboration of portfolio of projects 4.2.7 Development of information exchange strategy V Endorsement of POPs National Implementation Plan by stakeholders ¨ ¨ 5.1.1 Stakeholder review and revision of the draft NIP 5.1.2 Preparation of information document for decision makers 5.1.3 Endorsement of NIP through national workshop § 5.1.4 Finalization and wide dissemination of NIP BUDGET (GEF COMPONENT)

Component Number of Unit Cost Total Cost in Units US $ 1. Determination of coordinating mechanisms and organization of processes Technical assistance and support staff (local)1 48 man-month 2,200 105,600 Technical assistance (international) 1 man-month 10,000 10,000 Equipment2 25,000 Training (one week) 20 persons 550 11,000 NCC workshops 1 2,500 2,500 Travel (National and International 5,000 Consultants) Operation costs throughout the project3 24 1,200 28,800 Awareness raising activities throughout the project 3 5,500 16,500 Sub-total 204,400 2. Establishment of a POPs inventory and assessment of infrastructure Technical assistance (local) 16 man-month 2,200 35,200 Technical assistance (international) 3 man-month 10,000 30,000 Training of task teams (one week) 24 persons 550 13,200 NCC workshops/task teams meetings 2/10 2,500/200 7,000 Travel (National and International 10,000 Consultants) Development of POPs information system 25,000 Information dissemination4 6,300 Sub-total 126,700 3. Priority setting and determination of objectives Technical assistance (local) 3 man-month 2,200 6,600 Technical assistance (International) 1 man-month 10,000 10,000 Training on priority setting (two days) 30 persons 250 7,500 NCC workshops 2 2,500 5,000 Travel (National and International 4,000 Consultants) Information dissemination 5,000 Sub-total 38,100

1 Includes cost of the services for expertise/assistance on a short-term basis throughout the project when necessary. 2 Computers, fax, copy machine, data-projector, etc. 3 Includes various operational costs such as vehicle maintenance costs, communication costs, consumables and sundries 4 Translating, editing and printing of reports, dissemination of information and results 12 4. Formulation of a National Implementation Plan and specific Action Plans Technical assistance (local) 16 man-month 2,200 35,200 Technical assistance (International) 2 man-month 10,000 20,000 Training for task teams (2 days) 5 groups 2,000 10,000 NCC workshops/task team meetings 2/10 2,500/500 10,000 Travel (National and International 15,000 Consultants) Information dissemination 3,000 Sub-total 93,200 5. Endorsement of National Implementation Plan by stakeholders Technical assistance (local) 3 man-month 2,200 6,600 Technical assistance (International) 0.5 man- month 10,000 5,000 NCC workshops 2 2,500 5,000 Travel (National and International 5,000 Consultants) Information dissemination 15,000 Sub-total 36,600 Total Cost of Enabling Activities 499,000

BUDGET (COUNTRY IN KIND COMPONENT)

Component Number of Unit Cost Total Cost in Units US $ Part time input of state employees 10 m/m 1,600 16,000 Communication costs (internet etc.) 24,000 Office/meeting facilities 24,000 Total in kind contribution 64,000

13 ANNEX 1 URUGUAY - BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The “Oriental Republic of Uruguay” (usual short form is Uruguay) is the smallest Hispanic country in South America and is geographically situated on the eastern coast of southern South America, with its borders demarcated by Brazil to the north and Argentina to the west. Uruguay’s area is about 176,220 square km. The country’s topography includes two ranges. A number of rivers run through the country, most of them tributaries of the river Uruguay (natural border with Argentina). Land use is approximately as follows: arable land – 7 %; permanent crops – 0%; permanent pastures – 77%; forest and woodland – 6 %; and other uses – 10 %

The current population is approximately 3,360,105 inhabitants, about 89 % urban and 11 % rural. Montevideo, the capital city contains about 1/3 of the population. Uruguay is a cosmopolitan society with, reportedly, the highest literacy rate in all of Latin America (97%) and one of the highest in the world.

Uruguay’s economy is characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, which products include: wheat, rice, barley, corn, sorghum, also livestock and fish. Uruguay’s GDP (base on purchasing power parity) is about $ 31 billion USD (year 2000 estimate). However the GDP growth rate was a negative 1.1% in year 2000. The approximate GDP composition by economic sector is as follows: agriculture - 10 %; industry – 28 %; and, services – 62 % (1999). Industries include: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages but the industrial production growth rate has been declining.

The Uruguayan Constitution provides for the right to a clean environment and the Congress has enacted certain enabling legislation for its protection. The main legislation in place in Uruguay that bears on the POPs situation is Act Nº 17.283, the “General Law on Environmental Protection”. This law sets out a framework for action on the basis of outlining policies, strategies and guiding principles. It establishes pollution prevention as a priority. There are no laws currently that address POPs (other than pesticide import restrictions). The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment (MVOTMA) through DINAMA (National Environmental Direction) has the legislatively assigned lead responsibility, not only for the environmental protection, but also public health threats arising from environmental issues as well.

Uruguay has participated actively on the global environmental scene. It is a Party to several environmental treaties, including the Convention on Biodiversity, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and it’s Kyoto Protocol, CITES, Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone layer and its Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Ship Pollution (MARPOL). Uruguay has also signed, but not yet ratified, the Rotterdam Convention (PIC) and the Stockholm Convention (POPs).

Country-specific information on POPs

Uruguay has developed and finished its National Profile on Chemical Substances. Now it needs to be revised and updated. The National Profile has no specific studies on POPs.

The main legislation that is in place in Uruguay at this time that bear on the POPs situation is Act. Nº 17.283, “General Law on Environmental Protection”. This law sets out a framework for action on the basis of outlining policies, strategies and guiding principles.

In 1968, by means of a decree, the Ministry of Agriculture prohibited the use of chlorinated insecticides including aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, chlordane, heptachlor, DDT, for use in controlling plague insects prevalent in fields and planted or farmed prairies. A noted exception (continued permitted use) was for any, or all, of these POPs for use in the localized treatment on anthills. In 1989, all registrations and authorizations for selling organo-chlorinated insecticides were cancelled. This prohibition included agronomic use but continued to allow use for the control of ants. Now MIREX is the only POPs pesticide that is being used in Uruguay, and it represents approximately the 20 % of total pesticide use.

14 Regarding stockpiles, there is a primarily inventory done by a consultant and also the Faculty of Medicine. Department of Toxicology keeps records of accidental poisoning (including poison source) and this would be a point to start. So far there is no strategy define on this area.

Regarding PCBs, Uruguay has never been a producer of PCBs. There are no, or have ever been, regulations in place with respect to PCBs. Historically, PCBs have likely been used in Uruguay principally as dielectric fluid in transformers and in electrical capacitors. The major stocks of PCBs are likely associated with the electric utilities. There are two such utilities in Uruguay; one has phased out all their PCBs (including wastes) and the other has disposed of some of the equipment and has a phase out program whereby all of their original 115 tons of PCBs and PCB equipment will be disposed of via Environmental Management System (EMS) within ten years.

Uruguay has completed the national inventory on dioxins and furans based on UNEP Chemicals toolkit.

There is data on POPs levels in humans (serum and lipids), in lactic products and meats. However there is no epidemiological data.

Executing organization

The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment, through the Department for Toxic Substances, is the lead agency responsible for chemical management in general and Persistent Organic Pollutants in particular. It hosts the POPs focal point and is the proposed DNA jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture for the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (PIC). It is also the focal point for the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS). It has actively worked in the development of the National Profile. It has lead the document: “A preliminary assessment of Uruguay’s preparedness to meet the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants requirements”, and is responsible for developing and enforcing environmental regulations.

Related Activities

The following activities demonstrate Uruguay’s efforts to manage and control POPs:

 Uruguay has developed its National Profile.  Regular analyses are being made by Ministry of Cattle, Agriculture and Fishing. They analyse meat and milk and maintain a data-base since the early nineties.  The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment made a survey on PCBs, helped the electric Utilities companies with the EMS of PCBs. The Ministry made all the arrangements related to the export of PCBs and their disposal according to international conventions.  The Ministry of Housing, Land Planning and Environment has completed the national inventory of dioxins and furans with the help of UNEP Chemicals. The Toolkit developed by UNEP chemicals was used for this purpose. At the moment Uruguay has its first approximation of dioxins and furans emissions.

15 Uruguay has the following overall priorities and objectives for POPs management:

 Capacity building and institutional strengthening to comply with the Stockholm Convention;  Pesticides project (specially a Mirex sub. - programme);  PCB phase out program;  Management of stockpiles and contaminated sites (for both Stockholm Convention products and those with POPs characteristics);  Identification of human health and environmental issues of concern for Uruguay;

16