    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [May 6, 2002]
    [Page 728]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Senate Transmitting the Stockholm Convention on
    Persistent Organic Pollutants
    May 6, 2002

    To the Senate of the United States:
        With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to
    ratification, I transmit herewith the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
    Organic Pollutants, with Annexes, done at Stockholm, May 22-23, 2001.
    The report of the Secretary of State is also enclosed for the
    information of the Senate.
        The Convention, which was negotiated under the auspices of the
    United Nations Environment Program with the leadership and active
    participation of the United States, commits Parties to take significant
    steps, similar to those already taken by the United States, to eliminate
    or restrict the production, use, and/or release of 12 specified
    persistent organic pollutants (POPs). When I announced that the United
    States would sign the Convention, I noted that POPs chemicals, even when
    released abroad, can harm human health and the environment in the United
    States. The Convention obligates Parties to take measures to eliminate
    or restrict the production, use, and trade of intentionally produced
    POPs, to develop action plans to address the release of unintentionally
    produced POPs, and to use best available techniques to reduce emissions
    from certain new sources of unintentionally produced POPs. It also
    includes obligations on the treatment of POPs stockpiles and wastes, as
    well as a science-based procedure to add new chemicals that meet defined
    criteria.
        The United States, with the assistance and cooperation of
    nongovernmental organizations and industry, plays an important
    international leadership role in the safe management of hazardous
    chemicals and pesticides. This Convention, which will bring over time,
    an end to the production and use of certain of these toxic chemicals
    beyond our borders, will positively affect the U.S. environment and
    public health. All relevant Federal agencies support early ratification
    of the Convention for these reasons, and we understand that affected
    industries and interest groups share this view.
        I recommend that the Senate give prompt and favorable consideration
    to the Convention and give its advice and consent to ratification,
    subject to the understandings described in the accompanying report of
    the Secretary of State, at the earliest possible date.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     May 6, 2002.

    Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    May 7.