Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 14 June 2000 For Use: Immediately

The first meeting in the Western Isles of the Atlantic Frontier Environment Forum will be held in Stornoway tomorrow (Thursday 15th June).

Delegates from local authorities, environment groups, the fishing sectors and oil companies will be meeting to discuss recent activities at the Atlantic Frontier and associated Western Isles issues.

Current activities at the Atlantic Frontier by Enterprise and Marathon will be discussed as well as drilling activity west of Shetland and monitoring arrangements.

The Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Mr. Alex MacDonald, who will give the introduction at the start of the meeting, said:

"I am delighted to welcome all the delegates to this meeting. The oil exploration taking place and which will take place on the Atlantic Frontier in the near future is an exciting prospect and offers opportunities to the Western Isles that we would be foolish to ignore. However, as with every such development there is a balance to be struck. The environment of the Western Isles is one of our unique assets and it is essential that we never forget the importance of that fact. That is why it is important for this kind of meeting to take place, giving everyone the opportunity to discuss the issues."

Items for discussion include oil spill protection and clean-up and the local perspective from SNH, SEPA and the RSPB.

Mr. Donald Nicholson, The Comhairle's Chairman of Environmental Services and a member of the Forum, said:

"The future of oil development at the Atlantic Frontier is a matter of vital importance to the islands and the environment that we are justly proud of. Many of our sectors such as fishing, fish farming and many of the tourist related industries depend on protection of the environment. At the same time we cannot afford to ignore the possibilities that the activity at the Atlantic Frontier may bring to the islands and I am delighted that the Comhairle is hosting this latest meeting of the Forum which will enable the particular issues facing the Western Isles to be discussed".

The Atlantic Frontier Environmental Forum (AFEF) was established in 1996 to provide a link between oil companies operating to the west of the British Isles and organisations concerned with environmental issues.

Note: AFEF includes representatives of the oil companies, the three Islands Councils and Highland Council, the fishing and fish farming industries, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Environmental groups such as the RSPB and Scottish Environment Link and bodies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Scottish Executive Marine Laboratory, the Marine Coastguard Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry are also represented.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer