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Ship-to-ship legislation planned |
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Friday, 25 May 2007 |
Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead has announced a commitment to change environmental legislation affecting proposals for ship-to-ship oil transfers in areas close to environmentally protected sites, such as the Firth of Forth.
Immediate actions will include a meeting with Fort Ports, approaches to
the UK Government and an acceleration of the review into current
legislation.
Lochhead said: "In my first days in office, I am announcing a clear
commitment to legislate to ensure Scottish Ministers have an
opportunity to consider the merits of such proposals and ensure the
proposal is compliant with the relevant environmental legislation. I am
pleased to note today that there is wide spread cross-party support in
Parliament for this approach, along with high public interest, and look
forward to working to build consensus on this important issue.
"I believe there is a strong case for new ship-to-ship transfers to be
avoided in areas in close proximity to areas designated as
environmentally sensitive, such as the Firth of Forth. There is also a
strong case to ensure decisions on whether the proposal would damage
environmentally sensitive areas by a democratically accountable body."
Lochhead said that he welcomed the Green Party's proposal for
legislative change and would consider this option. "No option is being
ruled in or ruled out at this stage - there is no one solution."
"I recognise there are limits to the powers of Scottish Ministers on
this complex issue. My concern is to ensure elected Ministers have an
appropriate locus in relation to decisions of such public importance as
this."
The Cabinet Secretary said that the review into current legislation
initiated by the previous administration was a good first step forward,
but that this must be taken further, so that Ministers are satisfied
that the current proposal presents no danger whatsoever to Scotland's
environment.
"I intend to make representations to the UK Government to discuss its
options for addressing public concerns within their area of
responsibility. I will be meeting with Forth Ports as a matter of
urgency and I have asked that Forth Ports do not take any precipitate
action before we have had the opportunity to consider the issue in
detail as a matter of urgency."
As well as the Green Party's proposal, the Scottish Government is
considering a range of options including possible amendment of
Regulation 6 of the Habitats Regulations, which defines who is the
Competent Authority for purposes of compliance with the directive,
possible amendment of Part 4 of the Habitats Regulations and possible
extension of nature conservation order powers.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 25 May 2007 )
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