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Oil transfer talks go to Brussels Oil transfer talks go to Brussels
(about 5 hours later)
Concerns over proposed oil transfers in the Forth are being taken to Brussels by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford and MEP Alyn Smith.Concerns over proposed oil transfers in the Forth are being taken to Brussels by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford and MEP Alyn Smith.
The SNP politicians will meet senior officials in the European Commission's environment department on Tuesday.The SNP politicians will meet senior officials in the European Commission's environment department on Tuesday.
Mr Crawford said he was concerned because the Forth was a protected and environmentally vulnerable area.Mr Crawford said he was concerned because the Forth was a protected and environmentally vulnerable area.
Forth Port's contingency plans for any accidents were recently approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Forth Ports' contingency plans for any accidents were recently approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
However, Mr Crawford said there was a great deal of confusion over the proposals.However, Mr Crawford said there was a great deal of confusion over the proposals.
The Commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the Commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth Alyn Smith MEP The commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth Alyn Smith MEP
He added: "We're taking with us the concerns of the local authorities around the Forth and the environmental bodies who are seeking a fair hearing for their case.He added: "We're taking with us the concerns of the local authorities around the Forth and the environmental bodies who are seeking a fair hearing for their case.
"Our legal system is set up in a way that means Forth Ports are already facing conflict of interest accusations as they are the regulatory authority for a decision they stand to benefit from and the Scottish government has no meaningful powers at all."Our legal system is set up in a way that means Forth Ports are already facing conflict of interest accusations as they are the regulatory authority for a decision they stand to benefit from and the Scottish government has no meaningful powers at all.
"There are problems with a system that makes those responsible for the decision those who also benefit.""There are problems with a system that makes those responsible for the decision those who also benefit."
Alyn Smith MEP said: "The Forth is unique, it is specially protected, even the Westminster government have classified it as high risk. Ship to ship could increase the risk of an oil spill by 30%. Alyn Smith MEP said: "The Forth is unique, it is specially protected, even the Westminster government have classified it as high risk. Ship-to-ship could increase the risk of an oil spill by 30%.
"The Commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the Commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth." "The commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth."