Press Releases - ABLE

COMPANY WELCOMES EXPOSURE OF ‘CYNICAL SCARE CAMPAIGN’
09/11/03

The Managing Director of Able UK has welcomed growing opposition to what he described as the ‘cynical campaign of deceit and distortion’ mounted by Friends of the Earth and others over the company’s contract to recycle redundant US vessels.

Peter Stephenson was speaking after a number of leading figures—including Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson—had this weekend expressed alarm over the scare tactics, which have included constantly referring to the vessels as ‘toxic ships’ with suggestions that that they are ‘floating timebombs’ and pose the risk of a ‘cataclysmic’ oil spill.

Others who have spoken out publicly to defend the plans to recycle the vessels at Able’s TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) include Pam Jose, head of the Environmental Industries Federation, and leading marine engineering expert Professor Ian Buxton.

Speaking on the BBC Radio Four ‘Today’ programme Mr Mandelson said he had been ‘shocked’ by the tactics of Friends of the Earth and he accused them of ‘driving a political agenda’ and ‘not addressing or presenting the facts.’

The result said Mr Mandelson had been that ‘they have whipped up public opinion in Hartlepool and many fears amongst my constituents and I think that is an irresponsible thing to do.’

Pointing to the fact that Friends of the Earth constantly referred to the vessels as ‘toxic’ ships, Mr Mandelson underlined the clear statement from the Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett:

‘The ships in this consignment do not come into a special category of toxicity. Like all ships, they contain some hazardous materials, but they are not inherently dangerous and are not carrying any toxic cargo.’

The MP also expressed concern that Hartlepool Council might have ‘compromised’ its position as a planning authority by apparently expressing opposition in principle to the recovery and recycling of the vessels.

Said Peter Stephenson “I am pleased that Mr Mandelson has spelled out so clearly the reality of the situation and exposed the outrageous scaremongering campaign of Friends of the Earth and its allies.

“He rightly points out that his primary interest is that of his constituents who, together with the wider general public, have clearly been subjected to a storm of misleading information, designed not to present the facts but grab the headlines.

“Throughout the debate we have tried to stick to the facts and be as open as possible about the work we want to undertake on these vessels and why we think it is important for the local economy, for the people who will gain employment—and to ensure that redundant vessels are recycled in the safest and most environmentally-friendly manner available.

“I hope that, as a result the comments of Mr Mandelson and other independent voices now speaking out, local people—and perhaps even some sections of the media—will come to recognise that they have been misled and manipulated by the scaremongers.”

The first two vessels from the United States are expected to arrive in the company’s facility at Graythorp later this week. Only work necessary to keep them safe will be undertaken pending a Judicial hearing next month to determine if the Environment Agency issued the license modification correctly.

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