2004 press releases

Local MP Joins Surfers In Taking Sea Pollution Protest To The Department For Transport

Lewes MP Norman Baker has today taken the fight to protect Britain's coastline from large scale shipping pollution incidents to the Department of Transport. Norman joined the environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage in presenting a letter to Transport Minister David Jamieson. A parliamentary answer to Norman Baker has revealed that only 1 in 500 pollution incidents caused by ships result in prosecution and that in the 7 years between 1995 and 2002 only 10 successful prosecutions were made, with an average fine of £20,000. The event also marked the one year anniversary of one such incident when the ship RMS Mulheim crashed at Lands End, causing a £2 million clean-up operation

Speaking after the protest, Norman commented:

"Incidents where ships lose cargo or vessels are involved in accidents all too often result in harmful waste and chemicals being released into our waters. This pollution seriously endangers aquatic life, as well as bathers and surfers.

"The Government's record of only 1 in 500 incidents resulting in prosecution is appalling and offers no deterrent to the polluters. And an average £20,000 fine for polluting is a drop in the ocean sadly unlike all the oil which is discharged. It can cost millions to clear the up the coast after a pollution incident. The Government must start taking this issue seriously and make sure the polluters pay for their damage."

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