§ Mr. Gregory asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the protection afforded to the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic and North sea by the Oslo convention; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe Oslo convention, which the United Kingdom joined as a founder member in 1972, continues to provide an invaluable and highly effective international framework, underpinned by expert scientific advice, on which its members can base their policies for the protection of the marine environment from the harm that might otherwise be caused by the unregulated dumping of waste. We set great store by the commission set up by the convention, in which we continue to play an active part, and give effect to its recommendations by means of the licensing system operated under part II of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985. However, the convention does not at present extend to dumping activities carried out in the internal waters of its members, that is, maritime waters to landward of their base lines. Nor is it covered by other international agreements. Such activities are liable to affect the marine environment adversely unless they are closely regulated, as they are in the United Kingdom. The Government have therefore taken the lead in seeking the agreement of our partners that the convention should be extended to cover internal waters. Legal experts from the convention countries met on 7 and 8 January to prepare proposals for the extension of the scope of the convention in this respect which will be considered by the Oslo commission. at its next session in Cardiff in June.