FIRST MOVE FROM GOVERNMENT IN DISPUTE OVER ATLANTIC FRONTIER LEGAL CASE
London, 17 July 1997
Greenpeace response to DTI announcement of new EIA regulations:
Responding to John Battle's announcement of draft regulations for the implementation of the European Environmental Impacts Assessment Directive (EIA), Greenpeace Executive Director Peter Melchett said:
"It is no coincidence that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announces this measure the week before Greenpeace forces the Government in to the High Court to defend its environmental record in the Atlantic Frontier. Sadly these guidelines do not affect the major oil developments on the Atlantic Frontier at Schehalion or Foinhaven, and neither do they affect the massive programme of seismic testing which is currently going ahead in 22,000 square miles Ocean off the North West of Scotland"
"These EIA regulations have been required under European Law since 1988 and the Government has consistently failed to implement them. The DTI must now apply them to the area of the Atlantic Frontier licensed under the 17th round, a round which was rushed through in April whilst Parliament was prorogued.
"The announcement of these measures proves that the Government was in breach of European law, which is the subject of an official complaint by Greenpeace to the European Union. It further proves that the 17th licensing round was not carried out properly and must be suspended pending a thorough and public investigation. It is, however, a small victory that the Government is beginning to recognise that there is a major problem with the oil industry."
Peter Melchett said, "One of the environmental impacts which it must examine is the direct and indirect effects of a project on the climate. We do not believe that the Government and oil industry will be able to justify the exploration for new sources of climate changing fossil fuel in the light of this and its commitments under the Climate Convention."
Notes to correspondents:
The announcement was made in response to a Parliamentary question from Cynog Dafis MP.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Greenpeace Press Office on +44 (0)171-865 8255/6/7/8