Question reference: S4W-21880
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 23 June 2014
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 16 July 2014
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Minister for Environment and Climate Change is conducting "an informal review" of Orkney Islands Council’s proposed changes to the management of ballast water in Scapa Flow, in light of his statutory responsibility to review this decision under the habitats directive.
Answer
Orkney Islands Council approved a revised Ballast Water Management Policy for Scapa Flow on 10 December 2013. Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and stakeholders have expressed concerns about the proposals and the need to ensure compliance with European legal requirements. In view of these concerns and Scottish Ministers’ statutory responsibilities, my officials have been reviewing the council’s appropriate assessment to determine whether we are satisfied that the proposals are compliant and, if not, whether or not there is a need to use statutory powers available to ministers in the regulations implementing the EU Habitats Directive.