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Oil transfer talks go to Brussels Brussels hears oil transfer fears
(about 10 hours later)
Concerns over proposed oil transfers in the Forth are being taken to Brussels by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford and MEP Alyn Smith. Concerns over proposed oil transfers in the Forth have been taken to Brussels by Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford and MEP Alyn Smith.
The SNP politicians will meet senior officials in the European Commission's environment department on Tuesday. The SNP politicians spoke with senior officials in the European Commission's environment department on Tuesday.
Mr Crawford said he was concerned because the Forth was a protected and environmentally vulnerable area.Mr Crawford said he was concerned because the Forth was a protected and environmentally vulnerable area.
Forth Ports' contingency plans for any accidents were recently approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.Forth Ports' contingency plans for any accidents were recently approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
However, Mr Crawford said there was a great deal of confusion over the proposals.However, Mr Crawford said there was a great deal of confusion over the proposals.
The commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth Alyn Smith MEP I have no doubt that the Commission is taking this case very seriously Bruce CrawfordMid-Scotland and Fife MSP
He added: "We're taking with us the concerns of the local authorities around the Forth and the environmental bodies who are seeking a fair hearing for their case. He said: "Having taken Scotland's concerns to Brussels and sought advice from EU officials I am now even clearer that the Scottish government must take ultimate responsibility for the approval of ship to ship oil transfers.
"Our legal system is set up in a way that means Forth Ports are already facing conflict of interest accusations as they are the regulatory authority for a decision they stand to benefit from and the Scottish government has no meaningful powers at all. "Through no fault of theirs Forth Ports faces a conflict of interest that cannot be allowed to persist.
"There are problems with a system that makes those responsible for the decision those who also benefit." "The commission is investigating the information they have received from the SNP and are actively taking forward a complaint."
Alyn Smith MEP said: "The Forth is unique, it is specially protected, even the Westminster government have classified it as high risk. Ship-to-ship could increase the risk of an oil spill by 30%. Mr Smith said: "I welcome the commission's decision to take this investigation further and to talk to the UK authorities. It's just a shame this issue could not be sorted out in Scotland."
"The commission have asked to hear our concerns, we're not here to accuse anyone, but we intend to set out to the commission the concerns of the SNP and the concerns of those around the Forth."