South Shields MP promises parliamentary debate over River Tyne nurdle spill
The Member of Parliament for South Shields has confirmed that Parliament will hold a debate following the River Tyne nurdle spill.
The South Shields MP has confirmed that Parliament will “soon” be holding a debate on nurdles following a spill in the River Tyne.
The government’s stance following the incident at the Port of Tyne on Sunday, July 19, is that “the polluter pays principle applies”.
A container ship ship, BG Orange, collided with Wind Orca, an offshore support vessel, spilling around 17 tonnes of the tiny plastic pellets from two containers. The nurdles have since washed up on North-East’s sands, some as far as 30 miles away.
Emma Lewell, the MP for South Shields, has shared a letter she received in response from Defra dated September 3, signed by the department’s parliamentary under-secretary, Stephen Morgan MP, who visited South Shields on August 10.
Mr Morgan’s letter states a “determination” to learn from the incident, and that the government is working with the UN’s International Maritime Organization on new rules to prevent future leakages of plastic.
But of more immediate interest in South Tyneside is the clean-up of the nurdles and who should pay for it.
Mr Morgan said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on the scope or outcome of any investigative activity. The government will carefully consider any recommendations made by MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch).”
He also made clear that the clean-up should be paid for by whoever is to blame and expects this to be done through insurance.
The minister added: “I recognise the importance of ensuring that the costs associated with clean-up, environmental monitoring and any necessary restoration activity do not fall unfairly on local communities or taxpayers.”
“The government’s position remains that the polluter pays principle applies. Our expectation is that the clean-up and recovery costs will be recovered through the appropriate liability and insurance arrangements.”
On August 28 North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “I won’t let up on pressing the insurers for the BG Orange container ship to make sure the polluter pays.”
Meanwhile, volunteers are needed on South Shields’ beaches to help with the nurdles clean-up and protect the environment. South Tyneside Council offers volunteer guidance on their website and nurdles drop-off points have been set up.