Strasbourg, 07/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 5 September, the European Parliament approved a budget of EUR 154 million for 2007-2013 for the European Maritime Security Agency (EMSA) to enable it to effectively combat pollution caused by ships. Adopting a report by Spanish Christian Democrat Luis de Grandes on the draft amendment to Regulation 1406/2002 concerning the multi-annual funding of EMSA with regards to combatting pollution from ships, however, the European Parliament pointed out to Member States that they remain the first in line for establishing suitable mechanisms to combat maritime pollution. The EP and the Council have reached agreement on this dossier, so the Council should be able to approve it in the near future so it can be adopted in first reading. The Luis de Grandes report was adopted one week ahead of the official opening of the EMSA headquarters in Lisbon on 14 September.
Upon request from the Member States, EMSA will be able to provide extra ships to help the Member States fight oil slicks and other types of pollution, particularly problems caused by damaging and potentially dangerous substances. The Parliament feels that EMSA should develop a centralised imaging system for surveillance purposes, early pollution detection and identification of the polluting ships. It notes that the term 'hydrocarbons' includes oil in all forms, including crude oil, diesel, sludge, hydrocarbon residues and refined products' as established by the 1990 International Convention on cooperation, preparing for, and combatting hydrocarbon pollution. The EP says that dangerous and potentially hazardous substances that could endanger human health or damage biological resources and marine flora and fauna should also be covered by the scope of the draft amendment.