§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) representations were received and (b) environmental impact assessment was made concerning the decision to instal the antenna in the Akrotiri SBA, Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.[R] [77919]
§ Mr. IngramRepresentations about the decision to install the antenna have been made by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Akrotiri Co-ordinating Committee, the Green Party of Cyprus, local authorities, non government organisations and major landowners within the proposed site and surrounding area.
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the likely environment impact of the project was undertaken in 1997. The EIA was updated in 2001. The EIAs were reviewed by an independent, international panel of experts from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), who found that there were significant deficiencies in the original assessment, when judged against today's best practice standards. They recommended that, in the event that a decision was taken to proceed with the project, we should adopt a comprehensive strategy to ensure that adverse impacts are avoided or, where this is not possible, reduced to the absolute minimum. The panel's recommendations were accepted in full and are being implemented.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternative locations were considered for the new antenna installed on Akrotiri SBA, Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.[R] [77920]
§ Mr. IngramConsideration was given to locating the antenna elsewhere and a number of alternative sites were investigated. The alternative sites were judged unsuitable for technical reasons.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment was made of the likely impact on wildlife including migratory birds, of the new antenna at Akrotiri SBA Cyprus.[R] [77921]
§ Mr. IngramA team of experts under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence gathered data on wildlife as recommended by an independent, international panel of experts from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). This work was published in a Supplementary Environmental Work Report in June 2002. A copy of the report has been792W placed in the Library of the House. Proposed mitigation measures have been implemented or are being progressed within a Ramsar Management Plan. Data collection is continuing.
The environmental work on migratory birds has continued beyond the publication of the Supplementary Environmental Work Report. The Ministry of Defence is currently collecting additional data. Survey protocols have been agreed between the MOD. Republic of Cyprus, and the IEMA Panel for day and night time flight line surveys to record the passage of birds through the proposed Pluto site, bird collision monitoring of the existing antenna and monitoring of the migration behaviour of Demoiselle Cranes. MOD and ROC staff have jointly staffed the surveys.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment was made of the possible impact on the health of the local Cypriot population of the new antenna installed at Akrotiri SBA, Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.[R] [77922]
§ Mr. IngramThe possible impact of the new antenna on the health of the local Cypriot population has been considered carefully. It has been assessed that levels of electromagnetic emissions from the new system will be no greater than those from the system it will replace and will be well within EU safety limits. Following tests carried out last summer by its own experts and by experts from France, the Ministry of Communications and Works of the Republic announced that exposure of the public to electromagnetic radiation from the existing antenna on the Salt Lake is at least seventy six times smaller than the limit recommended by the European Union and that the installation of the new antenna is not expected to result in a significant increase in the level of emissions in the area. This confirms the results of our own assessments.
As a further measure of reassurance the two governments are carrying out a study into the health of the Akrotiri villagers. It is also our intention to set up permanent monitoring equipment in the village to confirm that emissions remain at the very low levels demonstrated in last summer's tests.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation was held with the Government of the Republic of Cyprus over the decision to build the new antenna at Akrotiri SBA; and if he will make a statement.[R] [77923]
§ Mr. IngramExtensive consultations have taken place between the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus about the decision to build a new antenna at Akrotiri.
These consultations led to a joint statement in August 2001 by the two governments about the steps necessary to address concerns about the possible impact of the antenna on the health of the Akrotiri villagers and on the environment. The British Government has fulfilled the key undertakings set out in the joint statement.