9. 8. Statement: Oil Spill at Nantycaws, Carmarthenshire

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:32 pm on 11 October 2016.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 6:32, 11 October 2016

Thank you, Joyce Watson, for those questions. I’m very pleased you have met with Valero and I should have said that both Valero and NRW are very happy to meet any Assembly Member to discuss this matter. You’re quite right, we should also take the opportunity to thank the emergency services for their attendance.

In relation to the A48, I did say I do accept there will be inconvenience, but my colleague Ken Skates’s department wanted to avoid half-term week. It’s about minimising the impact, but of course there’s no good time. As I say, we didn’t take the decision lightly and we’re very sorry that we’ve had to do it and we’re very disappointed that we’ve had to take this course of action, but I do think Members will agree it’s the only way forward.

I was very pleased also that a hotline was set up by Valero, and NRW obviously have one, and I know there had been some calls. I was told there had been two calls, even on the Friday, from local houses and these residents have been visited straight away, because I think it’s really important and it’s absolutely a priority for me that people’s concerns are addressed, particularly in relation to public health.

I mentioned that 140,000 litres is the figure that we’ve been given by Valero in relation to the spill. And today I’ve been told—today’s update is that 100,000 litres have been recovered, which I think is a significant amount. In relation to monitoring, NRW have had officers out monitoring the river daily. They’ve carried out an ecological assessment and a fish carcase count, which I understand remains at 100. The company involved have specialist contractors assessing the impact on land. They’re liaising with NRW’s geoscience team and I know NRW are chairing the tactical technical group, where all interested partner agencies and Valero are focusing on mitigating the impact of the oil spill. But, you’re right, this is long term, and I want to give Members assurance that I am monitoring this very carefully. I’m receiving several updates a day and I, of course, am very happy to report back to Members.