PRESS RELEASE
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GREENPEACE STATEMENT: SHELL BRIEFING- THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE BRENT SPAR
LONDON, 4th July 1996
Greenpeace welcomes Shell's announcement of progress towards a solution for the decommissioning of the Brent Spar.
Greenpeace scientist Dr Helen Wallace said, "The Brent Spar campaign was about precedents. Shell set one when it agreed not to dump the installation at sea - everything since has come on land. It can do so again by investing in best environmental practice, something which can never include dumping at sea".
"The Brent Spar represents something much bigger than one oil platform or a battle between Greenpeace and Shell. It represents the future of our oceans and the public's desire for industrial responsibility.
People won't accept oil companies dumping their rubbish in the sea, they want serious, careful solutions to the problems of waste".
The main impediment to a best environmental option continues to be the UK Government which defies international political and public opinion by retaining sea dumping as an option. In June the UK Government once again failed to join the majority in reaffirming OSPAR's (Oslo and Paris Commission) decision to implement a sea dumping ban in 1997.
Greenpeace will continue to monitor the process and to cooperate in finding an on shore decommissioning solution.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Greenpeace Press Office on 0171-359 4837 or 0171-865 8256