"Governments next month are expected to agree on restrictions concerning the industrial use and trade of mercury for an international treaty aimed at reducing health hazards and environmental pollution, sources said."
"The United Nations treaty is expected to oblige Japan and other countries to properly manage and dispose of excess mercury after exports are curbed under the new rules, the sources said.
Since 2009, when the U.N. Environment Program decided to establish a treaty on mercury, representatives of about 120 countries have participated in negotiations. They are expected to agree on a draft outline in talks in January and to adopt the treaty at a meeting slated for October in Kumamoto Prefecture."
Akemi Kanda reports for the Asahi Shimbun December 26, 2012.
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