http://www.english.hadhramaut.info Yemen celebrates International Ozone Day [The Source: www.sabanews.net - 16/9/2008] Yemen is to celebrate the International Ozone Day on Tuesday, September 16. Director of the National Ozone Unit Faisal Gaber has announced, on this occasion, the second stage of training the national trainers (farmers) on two of methyl bromide soil fumigation alternatives: Solar fumigation and Biofumigation that are being held in Saada governorate during this month. National Ozone Unit in collaboration with German Technical Cooperation PROKLIMA GTZ prepared a Phase-out Program for Methyl Bromide uses in soil fumigation since 2005, considering that 10 Kgs of this substance contribute in depletion of six Kgs of the Ozone Layer. The main goal of the programme is to reduce the uses of Methyl Bromide in soil fumigation from 36 ODP tone in 2007 to 20 ODP tone in 2010 and to zero in 2015. In the first stage the alternatives were experienced with three farmers. This time it is with new ten farmers. The third stage will be to announce the alternatives that are being applied in some areas in Saada and consequently generalization of the alternatives after ascertaining its success. "The program aims at assisting the local farmers to address the new Methyl Bromide alternatives which will be achieved by selecting technologies that are suitable to the nature and climate of Yemen," Gaber said. "This also needs training of the farmers and agriculture engineers in the region on such technologies and consequently selects the best to be disseminated through national trainers who are selected from the farmers," he said. In Yemen, the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated annually. On 19 December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer.