By Claire Warrender

THE WESTMINSTER Government has been criticised for failing to bring forward regulations to prevent the introduction of ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick criticised MPs, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, for their inaction on the controversial issue that could result in millions of tonnes of crude oil being transferred between ships anchored just four miles off the Fife coast.

The Scottish Government adopted new powers in June to enable ministers to call in plans affecting protected sites and at that time MSPs of all parties called for a change in UK law to stop oil transfers going ahead in the Forth.

However, five months on, the Department of Transport has revealed that regulations to control STS transfers within the 12 nautical mile limit of the UK’s territorial seas were still in draft form and consultations will not begin until 2008.

The oil transfer plans by Sunderland-based SPT Marine Services have met fierce opposition from local authorities, residents and environmental groups since they were first mooted in 2005.

They fear any oil spill has the potential to devastate the fragile marine environment of the firth, parts of which have been designated Specially Protected Areas.

At present, the final say lies with Forth Ports, who also stand to gain financially from the deal, and there would be no right of appeal once a decision is made.

While the Scottish Government can call in any plan to ensure it complies with the Habitats Directive and suspend proposals until a proper assessment is done, the power to stop STS transfers in sensitive sites lies in Section 130 of the Merchant Shipping Act—a UK act.

Mrs Marwick, who took the fight against STS transfers to the European Commission, said, “The threat to the Forth from ship-to-ship oil transfers is very real yet the Westminster Government is not even prepared to consult on it until 2008.

“The Scottish Government has moved quickly to allow Holyrood some say but Westminster can stop this threat tomorrow if it was so minded. It is up to Westminster to bring forward regulations but they are dragging their heels.

“The Prime Minister represents Fife communities affected by this proposal but his Government refuses to act. It’s time Gordon Brown told people why he refuses to do what is necessary to protect our environment.”