DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for the Environment what measures the Government has taken to minimise the shrinking of the ozone layer.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the depletion of the ozone layer has been linked mainly to the presence of chlorofluorocarbons, more commonly referred to as CFCs, and halons in the stratosphere. It is a problem of global dimensions and only through concerted international co-operation can we hope to prevent further damage to the ozone layer.

Introduced in September 1987, the Montreal Protocol for the Control of Ozone Depleting Substances is an international treaty which provides the framework and controls for a regulated reduction in the use of some types of CFCs that are very damaging to the ozone layer. Singapore became party to this treaty in January 1989.

Sir, since October 1989, measures have been taken to reduce controlled CFCs imported into and used in Singapore to 1986 levels. The Government has introduced legislation to control the import and export of controlled CFCS.

Further reductions will be made in the quantity of controlled CFCs imported into and used in Singapore to 80% of 1986 levels commencing July 1993 and 50% of 1986 levels commencing July 1998. Three types of halons, controlled under the Montreal Protocol, will be frozen at 1986 levels commencing January 1992.

Sir, to minimise the impact on our industries, financial assistance will be provided by the EDB as well as technological assistance by SISIR to identify and develop suitable substitutes and CFC recycling processes.

Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied GRC): Sir, apart from Singapore becoming a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, what are the companies in the affected industries doing to reduce their consumption of CFCs?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, let me say that one of the major users of CFCs in Singapore is the electronic industry. And here the CFCs are used as a solvent or cleansing agent. As far as I know, a number of leading disk drive manufacturers in Singapore are investing large sums of money on water-based cleaning systems which, according to them, will substantially reduce the dependency on CFCs. I am also aware of a supplier who is doing something to reduce the consumption of CFCs. This particular supplier who supplies refrigerants to the marine industry is offering services to help ships convert their cooling systems to a type of CFC which is not restricted.