Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch expressed his serious concern about proposals for ship to ship transfer of oil in the Cromarty Firth using an Oral Question in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday the 11th of February in General Questions, when he asked the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential environmental impact, if the Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s (CFPAs) application for ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Cromarty Firth is granted.

The Highland MSP was pleased to hear that the Cabinet Secretary has written again to the Secretary of State for Transport in the UK Government to seek greater powers for the Scottish Government in this reserved matter and that he has asked that the Scottish Government be fully consulted before a decision on ship to ship transfer of oil in the Cromarty Firth is taken.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), who have responded to the consultation as a statutory consultee, believe that mitigation can reduce, but not eliminate the risks to the integrity of several designated interests and states, that it is not possible to conclude that there will be no adverse effect on the site integrity in relation to the Moray Firth special area of conservation, which is for bottlenose dolphins.

Mr Thompson said, “The CFPA is applying for an oil transfer license from the Maritime Coastguard Agency for ship to ship transfers of oil in the Cromarty Firth, the power for which resides at Westminster.

“Therefore, it is reassuring that the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment, Richard Lochhead, is continuing to apply pressure on the UK Government and that he has specifically written to the Secretary of State for Transport in the UK Government to seek greater powers for the Scottish Government on this issue.

“There is huge concern about the issue in my constituency and in neighbouring constituencies around the firth, including a worry that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will just follow a process and automatically grant a licence if the main conditions are agreed.

Dave went on, “I am also alarmed by SNH’s concerns, who believe that only mitigation is possible as regards the potential environmental impact, and that, they cannot rule out adverse effects on the site integrity in relation to the Moray Firth special area of conservation, which is for bottlenose dolphins.

“This is a matter I will continue to watch very closely”.

Note:

General Question – 11th of February 2016 Below:

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the potential environmental impact if the Cromarty Firth port authority’s application for ship-to-ship oil transfer in the Cromarty Firth is granted. (S4O-05554).

The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (Richard Lochhead): As the member will be aware, many concerns have been expressed about the potential impact on our marine environment of the current application. He may also be aware that, a few years ago, when a similar application was made elsewhere in Scottish waters, the then Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport in the United Kingdom Government to seek greater powers for the Scottish Government in this reserved matter. Unfortunately, that request was declined. However, I have written again this week to make the same request. I have also made it clear to the secretary of state that the Scottish Government expects to be fully consulted prior to a final decision being taken on the application.

Dave Thompson: I am pleased to hear that the cabinet secretary has written again and that he has asked that the Scottish Government be fully consulted before a decision is taken. There is huge concern about the issue in my constituency and in neighbouring constituencies to the north of the firth, such as that Rob Gibson, including a worry that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will just follow a process and automatically grant a licence if the main conditions are agreed to. Will the cabinet secretary elaborate a wee bit more on what pressure he is prepared to put on the UK Government to devolve the power to us to deal with the matter?

Richard Lochhead: I can assure Dave Thompson and other members that I will continue to apply that pressure. At the very least, the Scottish Government should be involved in the decision-making process. Our adviser, Scottish Natural Heritage, has submitted to the consultation as a statutory consultee. I have a copy of its submission, which indicates that it disagrees with the conclusion of the environmental statement about the residual likely significant impact on European designated sites. SNH advises the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as a competent authority in the matter, to carry out an appropriate assessment. It believes that mitigation can reduce but not eliminate the risks to the integrity of several designated interests and says that it is not possible to conclude that there will be no adverse effect on the site integrity in relation to the Moray Firth special area of conservation, which is for bottlenose dolphins.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10365&i=95365#sthash.ceLJOt0o.dpuf