Post-spill Environmental Monitoring Arrangements for England Reviewed

27 January 2016

The development of clear arrangements for the initiation and conduct of monitoring and impact assessment following a marine spill are key to any effective response programme. The Premiam initiative has been leading on the establishment of these arrangements across the United Kingdom as one of its key deliverables.

Recently these arrangements, set out in a ‘Decision making and funding process’ document, for England have been reviewed and agreed as fit for purpose by Cefas, the Department for  Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs (Defra),the Environment Agency, the Food Standards Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Equivalent documents for Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland are also available and subject to regular review.

The agreement and maintenance of these arrangements, which cover such issues as the establishment of a Premiam Monitoring Coordination Cell (PMCC) and broad funding responsibilities are key to improving preparedness for environmental monitoring should our important marine resources be at threat from an oil of chemical spill.