Member states ‘could have prevented’ Prestige spill

Date: 21/11/02

By Karen Carstens and Dana Spinant

GREEN MEPs have attacked EU leaders for failing to implement laws aimed at preventing eco-disasters like the Prestige oil tanker spill.

The Liberian-owned tanker, which was carrying 70,000 tonnes of oil, sank in the Bay of Biscay on Tuesday, after its hull split.

A massive clear-up operation is underway on Spain's Galacian coast, which is coated in black sludge. Scientists hope much of the oil left in the tanker's hold will solidify in the freezing depths.

Meanwhile, the row over who is to blame for the spill continues unabated. 'I have no doubt where the ultimate responsibility lies,' Camilo Nogueira, a Green MEP for Galicia, told the European Parliament yesterday (20 November). 'It is with the EU heads of state who have been unwilling to take the necessary action to prevent such disasters.'

The crisis has prompted the European Commission to demand that member states speed up implementation of maritime safety rules agreed in 1999 after the Erika spilled more than 15,000 tonnes of fuel off Brittany.

'The Union, in particular the Commission, did its homework, but the difficulties arose with member states,' transport commissioner Loyola de Palacio said. 'If the legislation had been in place, that would have meant that in Gibraltar this summer Prestige would have been submitted to rigorous inspections.

'Maybe we don't need new rules, but we need to apply the ones that we have,' she added. 'We are talking about environmental time bombs sailing in our seas.'

Franz Fischler, agriculture commissioner, pledged to help compensate local fishermen.

Green MEPs have attacked EU leaders for failing to implement laws aimed at preventing eco-disasters like the Prestige oil tanker spill. The Liberian-owned tanker, which was carrying 70,000 tonnes of oil, sank in the Bay of Biscay on 19 November 2002.