One of the fundamental goals that the Spanish Government and the European Union have set themselves is to reduce mercury levels in the environment and human exposure. The Government has already undertaken a number of measures to reduce mercury emissions and use.

Mercury and its compounds are extremely toxic to humans, ecosystems, and wildlife. Mercury pollution, which was initially considered a serious local problem, is now perceived as a global, diffuse and chronic problem. In high doses, mercury can be fatal to humans, but also in relatively low doses it can lead to serious problems in the medium and long term.

At the international and European level, Spain has contributed substantially to the preparation of the European Strategy on Mercury and will work to ensure that the next European Union Regulation contains the strictest possible measures for the control of mercury throughout its life cycle. Along the same lines, Spain has also played a very important role in the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Governing Council to achieve the commitment of countries on a Binding Agreement on a global scale. The next UNEP meeting will support the adoption of the obligation to develop this Instrument.