POLLUTION AT SEA

That this House welcomes the new European Union rules to combat sea pollution, which came into effect across European Union states in April 2007, setting in place a system of penalties to prevent maritime pollution; recognises that the EU directive on ship pollution will impose penalties on any party responsible for causing illegal pollution, be it the vessel's master, its owner, its operator or anyone else involved in the complex world of shipping, the international nature of which can make legal proceedings difficult; further notes that the new rules encourage member states to co-operate in tracking polluting discharges to vessels moving between countries, with EU member states obliged to incorporate the directive into national law; and calls on the Government to ensure that all EU member states implement this legislation so that pollution at sea can be combated effectively.