agreed to: (1) amend the Protocol to add methyl bromide to the list of potential ozone depletors

as a controlled substance, (2) adopt an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0.7 for methyl

bromide, and (3) freeze its production (with exemptions for quarantine and pre-shipment use)

at 1991 levels beginning in 1995.

 "The Parties adopted the recent scientific assessment of 0.7 for the ODP,

 acknowledging this as the best estimate despite the uncertainties related to this

 estimate" (EPA, 1993 p. 15030).

 This amendment was to become effective January 1, 1994, if twenty parties (countries)

ratified the amendments. However, if twenty parties had not ratified the amendments by the

deadline, the amendments were to enter into force ninety days after the twentieth party ratified

the amendments (EPA, 1993).

 In response to the aforementioned petition filed by the Methyl Bromide Working Group,

the EPA rejected the phaseout schedule proposed by NRDC, FOE, and EDF. The EPA

indicated that, because of limited information regarding possible substitutes for the chemical

methyl bromide, the most stringent schedule it can propose includes a production and

consumptive freeze at 1991 baseline levels beginning January 1, 1994, along with a total

phaseout by January 1, 2001.

 The EPA announced on the 19th of January, 1993, a proposal to phase out or limit

production and use of chemicals believed to be involved in stratospheric ozone depletion. This

proposal would apply to chemicals produced domestically and imported. Companies may

continue use through available supplies or recycling after the deadline, however, U.S. companies

may produce above levels set by the EPA in order to supply the essential domestic requirements