§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to review his Ministry's system for testing and appraisal of oil dispersants for use at sea.
§ Mr. CurryOur current arrangements for the testing and approval of dispersants for use on oil spilt at sea have been in place for a number of years. I have decided to review them. I shall be considering, in particular the standards against which dispersants are assessed for toxicity, efficiency and other aspects of performance; whether any changes are needed in the procedures for issuing approvals; the adequacy of information publicly available about the composition of dispersants.
In addition, together with other relevant Ministers, and with the advice of the marine pollution control unit and the Warren Spring Laboratory, I will take account of the circumstances in which the use of chemical dispersants is likely to remain the most effective way to protect the environment from oil spilt at sea.
My review will take into account any lessons learned from incidents in which dispersants have been used, and of the findings of the ecological steering group set up following the Braer incident by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and of Lord Donaldson's inquiry.
I will consult widely during the conduct of the review.