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Written question asked by Richard Tice (Reform UK) on Monday, 24 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 March 2025 (named day). It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 27 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

MV Solong and MV Stena Immaculate: Accidents

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department plans to provide to assist with the environmental clean-up of beaches in Boston and Skegness constituency following the recent North Sea oil tanker collision.

Answer

Now the overall situation has stabilised, the response has moved from a Major Incident Response into the recovery phase. Both ships remain afloat and normal maritime traffic has resumed. Though the situation is stable, recovery work will continue with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency continuing to coordinate operational partners and maintaining their vigilance of the situation to ensure a safe resolution.

Defra is working with multiple organisations, including the Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the PREMIAM (Pollution Response in Emergencies: Marine Impact Assessment and Monitoring) has been activated to assess the impact of this incident on water pollution and the marine environment. No chemical pollution from the initial fuel spill has been detected.

Pollution in the form of nurdles and burnt plastic has shown up on beaches in NW Norfolk, Lincolnshire and at sea in The Wash. Vessels have been recovering the nurdles at sea and the ongoing beach clean-up in Lincolnshire is being co-ordinated by the relevant local authority. There has been no sign of any other pollution. The four Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) are working together in a Joint East Coast Recovery Management Group to lead counter-pollution activities.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
40874
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Accidents Beaches Oil Pollution MV Solong MV Stena Immaculate Boston and Skegness
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk