Petition against ship oil transfers in the forth

The Scottish Green Party and Surfers Against Sewage are pressing the Scottish Executive to reject plans by SPT Marine and Forth Ports plc (FP) to pump large amounts of heavy crude oil between tankers at sea in the Firth of Forth. The campaign is backed by local authorities, organisations and communities up and down the Firth.

The area has many sites and species protected under international and European law. However, regulations covering marine issues are in a mess - some devolved to Holyrood, some under UK government control, many out-dated and inadequate.

Scottish Ministers can block the proposal using European environmental laws, but only if FP chooses to apply for a license on the basis that protected species and/or habitats may be threatened. FP may decide not to apply for a license, arguing that the plans do not pose a risk to wildlife, and simply give the go-ahead to an operation from which they will profit. If wildlife is not properly protected, the government could be hauled in front of the European Court and fined.

Please help by signing the petition here:
www.ipetitions.com/petition/SurfersAgainstSlicks/

See full story here

Picture Credit: Thanks to Colin Hattersley.
Picture Caption: SAS members at recent action

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