Did the Montreal Protocol establish which uses of methyl bromide might qualify as critical?
While not specifying which uses might be critical, Decision IX/6 established criteria that the Parties will use in determining whether a certain use of methyl bromide, nominated by an individual country, could be exempted as a “critical use.” Specifically, “(a) That a use of methyl bromide should qualify as ‘critical’ only if . . . (ii) There are no technically and economically feasible alternatives or substitutes available to the user that are acceptable from the standpoint of environment and health and are suitable to the crops and circumstances of the nomination; (b) That production and consumption, if any, of methyl bromide for a critical use should be permitted only if: (i) All technically and economically feasible steps have been taken to minimize the critical use and any associated emission of methyl bromide; (ii) Methyl bromide is not available in sufficient quantity and quality from existing stocks of banked or recycled methyl bromide, also bearing in mind the developing count
