Ship To Ship Oil Transfer In The Firth Of Forth

EDM number 266 in 2006-07, proposed by John Barrett on 23/11/2006.

That this House is extremely concerned at the decision by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to approve the oil spill contingency plan in the Firth of Forth; believes that due to the ecologically sensitive nature of the Forth, plans for ship to ship oil transfer should not be granted approval; notes that complaints have been lodged with the European Commission, which is investigating the legality of the ship to ship oil plan; notes that a major spillage would kill wildlife, pollute beaches and damage tourism; recognises that the plan has provoked widespread condemnation from local communities, including local authorities, environmental groups and parliamentarians; further notes the absence of a coherent regulatory framework for ship to ship oil transfer in the Forth; calls on the Government as a matter of urgency to ensure that ship to ship transfers of oil in the Firth of Forth are subject to an open and accountable consenting regime and a coherent regulatory framework which both comply with the Habitats Directive; and further calls for a strategic assessment of the national need for this activity and how it can be delivered without damage to communities and the environment.

This motion has been signed by a total of 18 MPs.