NORTH EAST Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell has expressed “profound disappointment” that the UK Government’s proposed regulations for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfers will not have any bearing on the Firth of Forth, despite undertakings given earlier this year.

Sir Menzies supported the Edinburgh North and Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz’s private members’ bill in the House of Commons in January, which was later withdrawn after the under secretary for transport gave an assurance that the government would take action.

However, as The Courier revealed yesterday, draft regulations drawn up by Westminster do not seek to ban STS operations within statutory harbour areas such as the Forth Estuary.

Nor do they address the “ludicrous” situation of statutory harbour authorities—such as Forth Ports—having the power to approve an STS transfer application while standing to benefit financially from it.

Although there would be a requirement to ensure STS oil transfer operations “would not significantly impact upon European sites” and environmental consent would have to be sought, there have been claims the draft regulations do not go far enough.

Speaking yesterday, Sir Menzies said, “This consultation does not include a single proposal which would prevent STS in the Firth of Forth.

“At the time of the government undertaking to deal with this matter I called for firm actions and not words but it looks like the proposed measures have completely ignored the threat to the Firth of Forth.

“This is not good enough. The private members’ bill was withdrawn in good faith and the government have quite simply taken advantage,” he added.

“These unregulated STS oil transfers in the Firth of Forth pose a huge and unnecessary risk to the environment and to the quality of life of everyone who lives along the Forth’s coastline.”

The controversial plans by Sunderland-based SPT Marine Services to transfer millions of tonnes of Russian crude oil between ships off Methil were thrown out by Forth Ports in February, after a huge campaign by opponents who believed the threat of environmental disaster from a major spillage far out- weighed any economic benefits.

However, it is believed that as they stand, the draft regulations would open the door to future applications in the area.

Fife Council has described the situation as disappointing and is preparing an urgent response to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s consultation paper.

Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick has also announced her intention to write to the Scottish Government’s Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead to ask if he intends to respond.

Mrs Marwick said yesterday she was even more determined to see off the environmental threat in light of news that five of Fife’s beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status—including Leven for the first time.