100,000-strong petition against Moray Firth oil transfers
The Cromarty Port Authority's applying to carry out ship-to-ship oil transfers.
Last updated 9th Mar 2017
A petition against plans to transfer oil between ships in the Moray Firth has gathered more than 100,000 signatures.
The protest, organised by campaign group Cromarty Rising, will now be the subject of a Holyrood committee meeting next week.
The Cromarty Port Authority wants to pipe oil between vessels out at sea, which has sparked widespread anger among locals.
It has submitted an application to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, but campaigners want both the Scottish Government and Highland Council to formally oppose it.
"Developers, planners and decision-makers must not neglect to engage with local communities" KATE FORBES MSP
Local MSP Kate Forbes said: “I am passionate about small Highland communities having a voice when it comes to decisions taken on their doorsteps - and Cromarty Rising have certainly made their voice heard loud and clear.
“It is incredible that over 100,000 people - and the number keeps rising - have signed this petition.
“Whatever the issue, and whatever the outcome, developers, planners and decision-makers must not neglect to engage with local communities and listen.
“I am not against ship to ship oil transfers per se - but in the right place, with the right scientific evidence and on both counts I feel that this application has not met the high standards that we should impose on any development in an area of national environmental importance.”