Archived press release

Environment agency slammed over ghost ships decision

1 October 2003

Friends of the Earth today accused the Environment Agency of caving in to pressure from Able UK and the US authorities. The environmental pressure group said that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) produced by the Agency, in response to plans by Able UK to bring toxic ships from the US ghost fleet to Teesside for disposal, was "rushed, sloppy and totally inadequate."

The EIA was conducted as part of a proposed modification to Able UK's waste management licence. In a statement today the Environment Agency said it had "granted the modification after it had undertaken a thorough assessment reviewing all the potential environmental risks to the Tees Estuary and the surrounding sensitive habitat sites."

Despite today's setback a number of regulatory barriers and a court challenge in the United States - which is being heard today - still block the proposed project.

Friends of the Earth's legal advisor, Phil Michaels, said:

"Rather than representing the best interests of the environment, the Environment Agency appears to have caved in to pressure from Able UK and the US authorities. The Environmental Impact Assessment it has produced is rushed, sloppy and totally inadequate. But this is not the end of the matter. Far from it. There are still significant issues to be decided before this unsafe and dangerous fleet can be dumped on British shores."

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Archived press release

Environment agency slammed over ghost ships decision

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