§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action will be taken to provide adequate supervision of future oil and gas extraction and related activity so as to safeguard the environment in and around the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. [HL2152]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanBoth Her Majesty's Government and the Falkland Islands Government attach the highest importance to the protection of the unique environment of the Islands. Before each phase of exploration and exploitation the oil companies are required to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for approval by the Falkland Islands Government. Various environmental studies are also being carried out by the oil licensees and Falkland Islands Government. Supervision of oil exploration and possible exploitation activity is ensured by the provisions of Falklands legislation and the stringent environmental conditionality of the licences issued. There are no plans for hydrocarbons development affecting South Georgia.