§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure the continuation of monitoring and research into the long-term effects and impact of oil spillages on the British coastline. [29818]
§ Angela EagleThe UK Government have recognised the need for a plan to minimise the effects of oil spills since 1967. This National Contingency Plan was developed in consultation with all interested parties and is operated by DETR's Marine Pollution Control Unit.
In the event of a major spill, the Marine Pollution Control Unit establish, in consultation with the various authorities, whether to initiate sampling of sea water, sediments and flora/fauna over an extended period to determine the long-term fate of the oil and its consequences for the environment. They also recommend if resources need to be made available for longer-term ecological studies (including the shoreline) if appropriate.
The Government have been alive to the need to develop a comprehensive view of the environmental impacts of major oil spills. Following the wreck of the Braer in 1993, the Government funded the work of the Ecological Steering Group on the oil spill in Shetland and is continuing to monitor and to research into the environmental effects. Following the grounding of the Sea Empress, we funded the work of the Sea Empress Environmental Evaluation Committee (SEEEC). The SEEEC report was published on 11 February.
The Government are considering SEEEC's recommendation that an Environmental Impact Assessment Group should be established whenever a serious oil spill occurs. We are also considering what further monitoring and research should be set up to establish what the long-term effects of the Sea Empress spill are and what measures may be needed to alleviate any possible consequences.
My Department continues to fund the Continuous Plankton Recorder operated by the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation. This was started in 1931 and provides a unique insight into the effects of all pollutants on these "indicator" species. More recently, the Department has funded a research contract into the biological fate of dispersed oil which assesses the nature, rate and extent of the biodegradation of oil droplets. The final report of this contract is expected shortly. In addition, monitoring of the long-term effects and impact of oil spillages (and other substances) on the British Coastline is carried out under the auspices of the Marine Pollution Monitoring Management Group.