There is a striking loophole known as article 207.9 in the final draft of the Great Lakes Annex Agreement and it should raise alarm bells for all those committed to preserving and protecting the world's largest body of freshwater. Under this article, water bottling companies will have free reign to extract water from any of the five Great Lakes and package it for human consumption, provided that the containers they use are 5.7 gallons (20 litres) or smaller in size.
This loophole spells nothing less than a bonanza for the bottled water industry.
Unlimited access to the Great Lakes basins also provides a monumental gift to some of the largest brand name corporations on this planet. Fifteen years ago, the bottled water industry in North America was composed of hundreds of independent, locally based companies. Globally, the industry is dominated by four giants of the food and beverage market --- Nestle, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Danone.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/editorial/12432460.htm
Posted by Dave at August 23, 2005 03:36 PM