Recommendations of UK Report on Deepwater Drilling Don't Go Far Enough

"The newly published report by the UK's Energy and Climate Committee
on the implications of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill for deepwater
drilling on the UK Continental Shelf fully reaffirms Food & Water
Europe's position on the specific dangers of deepwater drilling in the
region.

"The conclusions and recommendations of the report affirm the
warnings that we flagged more than six months ago following the Gulf of
Mexico oil spill. The lack of investment into safety technology by oil
companies, leads to their inability to prepare for 'high consequence,
low probability' events. Furthermore, an oil spill off the coast of the
Shetlands would be far harder to clean up than the disaster in the Gulf
of Mexico due to the harsh weather conditions in the region. Finally, UK
and EU legislation fails to clearly define liability in case of a
large-scale oil spill in the region.

"Food & Water Europe's map shows how the ocean currents would contaminate the entire North Sea should there be a spill West of the Shetlands."

"While we welcome most findings of the report, we are baffled by its
recommendation against a moratorium even though the extensive evidence
within the report itself clearly calls for one.

"EU and UK officials who continue to allow deepwater oil drilling
before the proper precautions are in place and the necessary
improvements have been made should keep in mind that their irresponsible
behaviour will be held accountable in the event of an oil spill."