Government pressed by Greens to deal with Clair oil spill
Strategies for dealing with oil leaks were raised at Holyrood today with a Green MSP seeking assurances on the proposed future practice of ship-to-ship oil transfers.
In light of the leak from BP’s Clair platform, west of Shetland, John Finnie MSP asked the cabinet secretary for environment and climate change if she agreed with the need to “head off emergencies” by formally objecting to ship to ship transfer on the open seas and supporting “robust action against reckless or negligent operators.”
Highlands and Islands MSP, John Finnie said:
“This was an opportunity for the cabinet secretary to send a clear message to the oil and gas sector that, notwithstanding most enforcement being reserved to Westminster bodies, the Scottish Government demands that the highest standards apply in Scottish waters.
“Sadly, while recommending maximum extraction of oil and gas, she failed to comment on the inherently dangerous practice of ship-to-ship on the open seas of the Moray Firth.
“Such poor safety puts at risk the pod of Icelandic Orca which visits Shetland, recently seen off Findhorn, and much more of our precious marine life plus the livelihoods of fishermen and our vital tourist industry.”