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Offshore Wind Farms: Unexploded Ordnance
17 March 2021
Lead MP
John Nicolson
East Dunbartonshire
SNP
Responding Minister
Rebecca Pow
Tags
Climate
Word Count: 6885
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
John Nicolson raised concerns about offshore wind farms: unexploded ordnance in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should update its licensing regime to mandate the use of low-order deflagration as the only option for munition disposal. This method is quieter and safer for marine life, with emissions and noise reduced significantly compared to high-order detonation methods.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The disposal of unexploded ordnance for offshore wind farm construction poses a significant threat to marine life. An estimated 100,000 bombs litter the seabed from past conflicts, and current high-order disposal methods involve detonating these munitions, which can cause severe environmental damage. Marine biologists have noted that such explosions not only kill sea life instantly but also deafen aquatic mammals like whales, porpoises, and dolphins, leading to mass strandings and deaths. For example, 19 pilot whales died after a stranding linked to a munitions disposal operation.
Ben Bradshaw, former Minister for the marine environment, advocated for updating regulatory frameworks governing unexploded ordnances. He requested that the Government explore less damaging alternatives in both land-based and marine environments, citing recent controlled explosions that caused significant property damage.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Welcomes the Government's commitment to offshore wind but calls for more financial support and leadership to maximise its potential. Expresses concern about the threat of 500,000 unexploded ordnance items in British waters and their impact on marine life. Urges the government to shift towards deflagration methods as a safer alternative.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Hamilton West
Ms Cameron expressed concern about the impact of unexploded ordnance detonation on marine mammals, urging for deflagration methods to be used instead of sea blasts. She highlighted the importance of protecting marine wildlife in the context of COP26 and G7 discussions.
Supports offshore wind development but highlights the challenges of managing UK waters sustainably, including the presence of unexploded ordnance. Emphasises the need for an ecosystem approach and innovative techniques to reduce environmental impact.
Sarah Olney
Lib Dem
Richmond Park
There needs to be a clear strategy to tackle the issue of unexploded ordnances in UK waters, which can significantly impact marine life. The Government must explore ways of safely clearing these objects with minimal environmental damage. Sarah Olney called for alternatives such as low-order deflagration and urged DEFRA to update its guidance accordingly.
Barnsley South
The MP highlighted the risk of irreparable damage to the seabed and marine life from high-order detonation methods used for clearing unexploded ordnance. She cited a study suggesting 88 explosions could cause up to 5,000 permanent hearing loss events in sea mammals. The speaker urged for an updated assessment of the harm caused by recent detonations and questioned the government's timeline on implementing changes recommended by reports.
Government Response
Rebecca Pow
Government Response
The Minister thanked Members for their contributions on the issue of unexploded ordnance in offshore wind farm developments. She highlighted the Government's commitment to protecting marine life and habitats while supporting sustainable offshore wind development. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working closely with other departments to balance these interests. Deflagration methods are being tested as a quieter alternative to detonation, but further research is needed to ensure safety and effectiveness in real-world conditions.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.