Devon urges authorities to join agreement to reduce maritime pollution

More local authorities are being urged to sign up to an agreement between Britain and France to tackle shipping pollution incidents in the English Channel.

Devon County Council was among the first English authorities to support the Cross Channel Declaration co-ordinated by the European funded CAMIS (Channel Arc Manche Integrated Strategy). The project aims to press for a change in policy and legislation to safeguard communities, coasts and seas against maritime pollution.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, who represents Devon County Council at the Local Government Association’s Coastal Special Interest Group, signed the Declaration in France in March.

Speaking at the Special Interest Group meeting yesterday Councillor Hughes said: “I want to encourage those local authorities who have not signed up to this agreement to consider it.

"At the moment it is most relevant to those of us on the south coast but I want to work through the Special Interest Group to see what we can put in place for all English local authorities. Backing this declaration shows the commitment and concern for our local communities, environment and tourism.

"We now have about 11 English local authorities signed up but we need to improve on this so that we can ensure better protection from pollution incidents.”

Devon County Council supported the agreement after raising concerns at the number of incidents off the region’s coastline, such as the grounding of the MSC Napoli off the East Devon coast in 2007 as well as the more recent pollution caused by oil additive PIB (polyisobutene).

A meeting with French authorities is being arranged in London in September.