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Seabird oil deaths: Minister investigates tanker discharges Seabird oil deaths: Minister investigates tanker discharges
(about 1 hour later)
A government minister has said the UK is investigating discharges by chemical tankers after hundreds of birds washed up dead along the south coast.A government minister has said the UK is investigating discharges by chemical tankers after hundreds of birds washed up dead along the south coast.
Seabirds have been washed up covered in oil additive polyisobutene (PIB) in two separate incidents this year.Seabirds have been washed up covered in oil additive polyisobutene (PIB) in two separate incidents this year.
Dorset South MP Richard Drax wrote to transport minister Stephen Hammond calling for tighter controls.Dorset South MP Richard Drax wrote to transport minister Stephen Hammond calling for tighter controls.
Mr Hammond said results of the inquiry will be passed to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).Mr Hammond said results of the inquiry will be passed to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Member states need to submit findings to the IMO showing evidence that the substance should be reclassified.Member states need to submit findings to the IMO showing evidence that the substance should be reclassified.
'Madness''Madness'
The RSPB said more than 1,000 birds were affected in Devon and Cornwall since 10 April, while hundreds were found covered in the substance, mainly in Dorset, in February.The RSPB said more than 1,000 birds were affected in Devon and Cornwall since 10 April, while hundreds were found covered in the substance, mainly in Dorset, in February.
In the letter, Mr Hammond said a number of other European countries were also looking into discharges from ships. Dorset Wildlife Trust added that up to 45 birds were found covered in the substance at Chesil Cove on Friday morning.
The Devon Wildlife Trust said it was asking people to join an emergency seabird survey to check public beaches so it could get a more accurate picture of the scale of the problem.
In his letter, Mr Hammond said a number of other European countries were also looking into discharges from ships.
Currently, PIB - used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently - can be released legally under certain conditions.Currently, PIB - used by ships to make their engines work more efficiently - can be released legally under certain conditions.
The RSPB has called for discharges to be outlawed while Mr Drax said the situation was "madness".The RSPB has called for discharges to be outlawed while Mr Drax said the situation was "madness".
Mr Hammond wrote: "As to whether the current arrangements for the carriage of PIBs are adequate, a number of European countries, including the UK, are currently investigating the discharge of high viscosity products by chemical tankers and the resulting residues washing up on beaches.Mr Hammond wrote: "As to whether the current arrangements for the carriage of PIBs are adequate, a number of European countries, including the UK, are currently investigating the discharge of high viscosity products by chemical tankers and the resulting residues washing up on beaches.
"The result of this will be submitted to the IMO for consideration of whether any changes need to be made to the existing requirements.""The result of this will be submitted to the IMO for consideration of whether any changes need to be made to the existing requirements."
Schoolchildren have also called for ships to stop dumping PIB into the sea.
Teachers at Fourlanesend Primary School in south east Cornwall said children had been inspired to start a campaign to raise awareness of the situation, and were writing to local MPs and the government to ask for such dumping to be made illegal.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident but ended inquiries into the first discharge admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it was trying to determine the source of the latest incident but ended inquiries into the first discharge admitting it was "highly unlikely" the ship could be found.