§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what early assessment she has made of the long-term environmental impact of the sinking of the Prestige off the Spanish Atlantic coast. [83003]
§ Mr. MorleyIt is too early to assess the long term impacts of this oil pollution. Much will depend on the fate of the oil still in the holds of the wreck, and wind and sea conditions in the area. The primary responsibility for assessing the impact will rest with the Spanish authorities. Defra's Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has contacted the scientists working on impact assessment and has offered any technical assistance they may find helpful Our current assessment is that it is extremely unlikely any oil from the Prestige will reach the British coast.