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MSPs examine oil transfer plans Forth oil transfer inquiry begins
(about 5 hours later)
MSPs are to hold an inquiry into controversial proposals to transfer oil in the Firth of Forth. Controversial ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth would be playing "Russian roulette" with the environment, MSPs have been warned.
Holyrood's environment committee will try to clear up uncertainties over who is responsible for granting permission for the transfer. Campaigner Les Douglas said Fife locals were "justly outraged" by the proposals from Melbourne Marine Services.
MSPs will also consider the risk to wildlife from an oil spill. He was speaking on the first day of a committee inquiry into the Forth plans.
The proposals to transfer oil from Russian ships into large tankers sparked an outcry from local councils and environmentalists. The Sunderland-based firm wants to pump about 7.8 million tonnes of Russian crude oil a year between tankers anchored four miles off the coast.
Those who have campaigned against the scheme include Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian councils, the RSPB, Scottish Green Party and Friends of the Earth. 'Dangerous and irresponsible'
Environmental rules Mr Douglas, whose wife Mary put forward a petition to the Scottish Parliament protesting against the plans, said: "It feels as if we are in the hands of a private company who are prepared to play Russian roulette with the Firth of Forth and who don't care about what happens to the environment and the beauty they destroy."
Sunderland firm Melbourne Marine Services Ltd wants to transfer oil from Russia to other vessels bound for China or eastern Europe. Retired businessman Linden Jarvis also submitted a petition to the parliament, calling on MSPs to debate and consider the implications of any transfers.
The company said it has transferred six billion barrels of oil over the last 10 years, with only four barrels being spilled. Mr Jarvis, a shareholder in Forth Ports, branded ship-to-ship transfers as "dangerous and irresponsible".
Forth Ports says there is no law against the transfer, provided it is done according to strict environmental rules. He fears any spillage of oil will do damage to the "beautiful and highly sensitive" Forth estuary, where the marine environment includes whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Forth Ports have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to attend this meeting, a clear indication that they know they are on shaky ground Mark RuskellGreen MSP We take our role as guardians of the estuary very seriously, that's why no final decision has been made at this point in time on the project Charles HammondForth Ports
The ports authority's contingency plans for any accidents have been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Members of Holyrood's Environmental and Rural Development Committee considered both petitions on Wednesday.
However, opponents hope to persuade ministers to intervene and prevent Forth Ports giving the scheme the green light. And Mr Jarvis told them: "It doesn't matter how great the care is, a grave danger remains and even a small spillage can cause huge damage to the environment.
MSPs on the committee say they want to clear up whether the UK Government or the Scottish Executive is responsible for implementing the European Habitat Directive, under which the wildlife of the Firth of Forth is protected. "That's a big expanse of water and a lot of wildlife, that's worth taking time to stop and think about."
The Greens' environment spokesman, Mark Ruskell, said the committee meeting was a "crucial day" for the campaign against the plans. Forth Ports, in whose harbour authority the transfers would take place, has already produced an oil spill contingency plan.
"Forth Ports have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to attend this meeting, a clear indication that they know they are on shaky ground," he said. Protected wildlife
It is currently undertaking assessment work to see if the transfers would have an impact on protected wildlife in the area.
It then has to consider whether it requires to ask the Scottish Executive for a licence for the work or not.
But when representatives from the authority appeared before the committee on Wednesday, they assured MSPs they would not allow transfers to take place unless they were satisfied of their safety.
Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports plc, insisted: "In this particular project one thing we are clear about is we would not wish to go ahead with anything which was not inherently safe.
"We take our role as guardians of the estuary very seriously, that's why no final decision has been made at this point in time on the project."
The inquiry continues.