An Australian scientist has received international recognition for his work in protecting the Earth's ozone layer.

Dr Jonathan Banks of CSIRO Entomology will receive a prestigious award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in recognition of his leadership in protecting the Earth's ozone layer.

The stratospheric ozone layer protects all life from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was drawn up to reduce and eventually eliminate the emissions of artificial ozone-depleting substances including chlorofluorocarbons and methyl bromide.

EPA is using the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the signing of this landmark agreement to recognise extraordinary achievements in environmental protection with its Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone Protection Awards. Canberra-based Dr Banks is one of 70 individuals, associations and corporations from around the world to receive a Best-of-the-Best Award.

Dr Banks was the inaugural chairman of the international Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee (MBTOC) which first met in the Hague in 1993. Methyl bromide is a fumigant which has been identified as a significant cause of ozone depletion in the atmosphere.

In 1995 the Committee delivered a major report recommending ways to limit methyl bromide use which was adopted by the nations which signed the Montreal Protocol. If successful, the controls will mean a 25 per cent reduction in methyl bromide emissions by 2001 and that it will be phased out completely by 2010 in developed countries.

The MBTOC report included important features directly attributable to Dr Banks' input and chairmanship. It is regarded as an important source document containing much original data and has been widely quoted.

Last year, Dr Banks won an EPA Annual Stratospheric Protection Award. Only winners of these annual awards were able to compete for Best-of-the-Best Awards which are being presented only once. Recipients of Best-of-the-Best Awards include the Coca-Cola Company, DuPont, IBM, Lufthansa, Mitsubishi Electric, Nissan and the US Department of Defense.

The Best-of-the-Best Awards will be presented on Sunday September 14 at a special ceremony in Montreal, Canada, during a gala dinner to celebrate the Montreal Protocol's 10th Anniversary.

Further information:
Jonathan Banks, Radisson Hotel Des Gouverneurs, Montreal
Ph: 1- 514 879 1370 fax 1-514 879 1761
Julie Carter (02) 6246 4214