Press Releases - ABLE

REPORT PROVES ‘WE ARE ABLE TO MEET RECYCLING CHALLENGE’

Stockton North MP Frank Cook says a report from an influential House of Commons Committee ‘demonstrates beyond any doubt that here on Teesside we really are ‘Able’ to meet the challenge of ship recycling—doing it safely, effectively and creating real jobs for local people.’

Mr Cook, whose constituency includes the headquarters of Able UK—the company whose contract to recycle redundant American vessels led to the inquiry by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee—said the findings of the report clearly supported the need for the type of facilities which the Teesside company had been developing and ‘exposes the cynical nonsense of those who boasted of their ‘green’ credentials but actually sought to undermine the efforts of those seeking the very best environmental solution to the thorny issue of ship dismantling.’

Said the MP “As someone who has consistently argued the case for protecting the environment for more that a quarter of a century, I was genuinely shocked by the antics of some organisations and individuals during the so-called ‘ghost ships’ saga. Apparently they were more interested in gaining cheap headlines based on blatant scaremongering, in total disregard of the facts.

“What I found especially reprehensible was that, whilst choosing to target a company seeking to tackle a very difficult job in a professional manner and to the highest environmental standards, they conveniently ignored the fact that the vast majority of vessels from the rich countries—including the UK and Europe—end their days on the beaches of the developing world where workers run the risk of injury and death and the environmental impact is equally horrific.

“I am delighted that my colleagues on the Committee have exposed the fallacy of those who mounted their cynical campaign against Able and have revealed the reality that, far from seeking to undermine the company, we should be supporting the development of a proper world-class ship recycling industry in the UK generally in on Teesside specifically.

“The Committee makes very clear their belief that this kind of work can be carried out safely and that it can bring economic benefits to the communities where it is based—and in the case of Able UK that means my constituents and other Teessiders who need the kind of jobs the company wants to provide if it is given the kind of support it deserves.

“Today’s report is a watershed in this debate—and I believe it shows clearly the tide is turning in favour of genuine commonsense and a real concern for the environment.”

FRANK COOK MP CAN BE CONTACTED ON 07956 882444

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