The U.S. Congress is considering legislation to implement an important international environmental treaty that the United States signed in 2001 but has not ratified. Before the Senate can give its “advice and consent” to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Congress must make modest changes to existing laws that govern pesticides and industrial chemicals. After a lull of many months the Bush Administration has shown renewed interest in quick ratification, because it wants to have a say in international decisions about adding other POPs to the treaty. Public interest advocates have challenged Congress to regain international leadership on this issue by ensuring essential elements in the implementing legislation.
These bills will not permit the United States to fully implement the Stockholm Convention. Environmental, health, and other public voices call on Congress to reject these proposals in favor of legislation that will ensure that the United States can meet its international obligations and regain leadership in eliminating these dangerous pollutants.