This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6247402.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MSPs to back oil transfer control MSPs approve oil transfer control
(2 days later)
Powers enabling ministers to freeze controversial plans to pump oil between tankers in the Firth of Forth are expected to be passed by MSPs. New powers enabling Scottish ministers to freeze plans for controversial oil shipments have been approved.
The move would allow the government to "call in" plans which affect protected sites, as well as being able to suspend projects until they comply. The change will allow the government to call in plans which may affect protected sites, including ship-to-ship transfers in the Firth of Forth.
The transfer plans have met with fierce opposition from local councils, residents and environment groups.The transfer plans have met with fierce opposition from local councils, residents and environment groups.
Harbour authority Forth Ports has the final say on the proposals. Harbour authority Forth Ports has the final say on the proposals, which come from SPT Marine Services.
The organisation said it had been making a thorough assessment of the ship-to-ship proposals which covered safety and environmental considerations. They would see 7.8 million tonnes of Russian crude pumped each year between tankers anchored four miles off the coast.
MSPs will be asked to endorse the new powers under the European Habitats Directive. Our actions will amount to securing an important piece of environmental legislation Richard Lochhead MSPEnvironment secretary
The move will come after Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead last month asked Forth Ports to temporarily suspend the proposals. Forth Ports have said the authority had been thoroughly assessing the proposals, looking at safety and environmental considerations.
The plans, from SPT Marine Services, would see about 7.8 million tonnes of Russian crude oil a year pumped between tankers anchored four miles off the coast. The amendment to the European Habitats Directive, approved by the Scottish Parliament, would also enable ministers to suspend projects until their compliance had been validated.
Despite the approval, Labour environment spokeswoman Sarah Boyack pointed out that the powers could not directly block ship-to-ship oil transfers.
And Mike Rumbles, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, raised concern that a tighter regulatory regime could affect the ability of ports in Scotland to compete with others.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead told MSPs that the Scottish Executive would now put pressure on the Westminster government to use their powers to control transfers in the Firth of Forth.
"Our actions will amount to securing an important piece of environmental legislation and providing the spur for essential action elsewhere that many of us all over the chamber believe is long overdue," he said.
Mr Lochhead also assured MSPs that areas where ship-to-ship transfer took place unopposed, such as Scapa Flow, would not be adversely effected.
The Greens said: "This is one more step towards improving the management of Scotland's seas and protecting the environment from threats."