Sir Menzies Campbell MP has expressed his “profound disappointment†at reports that the UK Government’s proposed regulations for Ship-to-Ship (STS) oil transfers will not have any bearing on the Firth of Forth, despite undertakings given earlier this year.
Sir Menzies supported Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz’s Private Members Bill in the House of Commons earlier this year, which was later withdrawn in good faith after the Under Secretary for Transport gave an assurance that the Government would take action.
Commenting on the proposed regulations Sir Menzies said, “This consultation does not include a single proposal which would prevent STS in the Firth of Forth. At the time of the Government undertaking to deal with this matter I called for firm actions and not words but it looks like the proposed measures have completely ignored the threat to the Firth of Forth. This is not good enough. The Private Members Bill was withdrawn in good faith and the Government have quite simply taken advantage.
“These unregulated STS oil transfers in the Firth of Forth pose a huge and unnecessary risk to the environment and to the quality of life of everyone who lives along the Forth’s coastline.â€
