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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MSPs examine oil transfer plans | MSPs examine oil transfer plans |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| MSPs are to hold an inquiry into controversial proposals to transfer oil in the Firth of Forth. | MSPs are to hold an inquiry into controversial proposals to transfer oil in the Firth of Forth. |
| Holyrood's environment committee will try to clear up uncertainties over who is responsible for granting permission for the transfer. | Holyrood's environment committee will try to clear up uncertainties over who is responsible for granting permission for the transfer. |
| MSPs will also consider the risk to wildlife from an oil spill. | MSPs will also consider the risk to wildlife from an oil spill. |
| The proposals to transfer oil from Russian ships into large tankers sparked an outcry from local councils and environmentalists. | The proposals to transfer oil from Russian ships into large tankers sparked an outcry from local councils and environmentalists. |
| Those who have campaigned against the scheme include Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian councils, the RSPB, Scottish Green Party and Friends of the Earth. | Those who have campaigned against the scheme include Fife, Edinburgh and East Lothian councils, the RSPB, Scottish Green Party and Friends of the Earth. |
| Environmental rules | Environmental rules |
| Sunderland firm Melbourne Marine Services Ltd wants to transfer oil from Russia to other vessels bound for China or eastern Europe. | Sunderland firm Melbourne Marine Services Ltd wants to transfer oil from Russia to other vessels bound for China or eastern Europe. |
| The company said it has transferred six billion barrels of oil over the last 10 years, with only four barrels being spilled. | The company said it has transferred six billion barrels of oil over the last 10 years, with only four barrels being spilled. |
| Forth Ports says there is no law against the transfer, provided it is done according to strict environmental rules. | Forth Ports says there is no law against the transfer, provided it is done according to strict environmental rules. |
| Forth Ports have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to attend this meeting, a clear indication that they know they are on shaky ground Mark RuskellGreen MSP | |
| The ports authority's contingency plans for any accidents have been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. | The ports authority's contingency plans for any accidents have been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. |
| However, opponents hope to persuade ministers to intervene and prevent Forth Ports giving the scheme the green light. | However, opponents hope to persuade ministers to intervene and prevent Forth Ports giving the scheme the green light. |
| MSPs on the committee say they want to clear up whether the UK Government or the Scottish Executive is responsible for implementing the European Habitat Directive, under which the wildlife of the Firth of Forth is protected. | MSPs on the committee say they want to clear up whether the UK Government or the Scottish Executive is responsible for implementing the European Habitat Directive, under which the wildlife of the Firth of Forth is protected. |
| The Greens' environment spokesman, Mark Ruskell, said the committee meeting was a "crucial day" for the campaign against the plans. | The Greens' environment spokesman, Mark Ruskell, said the committee meeting was a "crucial day" for the campaign against the plans. |
| "Forth Ports have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to attend this meeting, a clear indication that they know they are on shaky ground," he said. | "Forth Ports have had to be dragged kicking and screaming to attend this meeting, a clear indication that they know they are on shaky ground," he said. |