Post by Salem6 on Nov 8, 2003 13:52:25 GMT
Two American navy ships due to be dismantled on Teeside are expected to reach the Channel on Sunday.
Two of the vessels are due to dock in the UK this week
Environmental groups claim the vessels are contaminated with toxic metals and that allowing them to dock meant the UK was prepared to be the "dustbin of America".
But the Hartlepool MP, Peter Mandelson, today accused Friends of the Earth of scaremongering over the issue.
"Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous" Peter Mandelson.
Speaking on Today he said it was right to highlight concerns, but accused the pressure group of "driving a political agenda, not presenting the facts".
He said: "They have alarmed and whipped up public opinion in Hartlepool and many fears amongst my constituents, and I think that is an irresponsible thing to do."
The so-called ghost ships, the Canopus and Caloosahatchee, were due to be dismantled at the Able UK yard.
No special category
But Mr Mandelson said: "Friends of the Earth refer to these constantly as toxic ships.
"The ships in this consignment do not come into any special category of toxicity.
"Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous and they are not carrying any toxic cargo."
A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said the vessels were in the Atlantic, but on target to arrive in the Channel on Sunday.
The environment secretary, Margaret Beckett, has said the former US navy ships can dock on Teesside before being returned to the US.
She said it was impractical for the ships to be sent back immediately, but US authorities had been told the ships could not be dismantled in the UK because of "international rules and community law".
Tony Juniper, from FoE, said: "I am sure the US authorities will be delighted that Britain is prepared to be the dustbin of America, whatever the environmental risk."
A decision about the future of two other ships which are further out to sea, is yet to be made.
Oils and oily ballast water could cause damage to the marine environment.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen but is denser than water and non-soluble so would only pose a problem if blown on shore.
PCBs have been called a "probable carcinogen" and have been linked with neurological and developmental problems in humans.
Mercury, lead, chromium and cadmium are highly toxic metals which accumulate in the body.
Video:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39545000/rm/_39545083_ships03_hirsch_vi.ram
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39545000/rm/_39545239_ships07_prof_muxton_vi.ram
Two of the vessels are due to dock in the UK this week
Environmental groups claim the vessels are contaminated with toxic metals and that allowing them to dock meant the UK was prepared to be the "dustbin of America".
But the Hartlepool MP, Peter Mandelson, today accused Friends of the Earth of scaremongering over the issue.
"Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous" Peter Mandelson.
Speaking on Today he said it was right to highlight concerns, but accused the pressure group of "driving a political agenda, not presenting the facts".
He said: "They have alarmed and whipped up public opinion in Hartlepool and many fears amongst my constituents, and I think that is an irresponsible thing to do."
The so-called ghost ships, the Canopus and Caloosahatchee, were due to be dismantled at the Able UK yard.
No special category
But Mr Mandelson said: "Friends of the Earth refer to these constantly as toxic ships.
"The ships in this consignment do not come into any special category of toxicity.
"Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous and they are not carrying any toxic cargo."
A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said the vessels were in the Atlantic, but on target to arrive in the Channel on Sunday.
The environment secretary, Margaret Beckett, has said the former US navy ships can dock on Teesside before being returned to the US.
She said it was impractical for the ships to be sent back immediately, but US authorities had been told the ships could not be dismantled in the UK because of "international rules and community law".
Tony Juniper, from FoE, said: "I am sure the US authorities will be delighted that Britain is prepared to be the dustbin of America, whatever the environmental risk."
A decision about the future of two other ships which are further out to sea, is yet to be made.
Oils and oily ballast water could cause damage to the marine environment.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen but is denser than water and non-soluble so would only pose a problem if blown on shore.
PCBs have been called a "probable carcinogen" and have been linked with neurological and developmental problems in humans.
Mercury, lead, chromium and cadmium are highly toxic metals which accumulate in the body.
Video:-
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39545000/rm/_39545083_ships03_hirsch_vi.ram
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39545000/rm/_39545239_ships07_prof_muxton_vi.ram
