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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:40 pm on 11 October 2016.

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Photo of Mr Simon Thomas Mr Simon Thomas Plaid Cymru 6:40, 11 October 2016

(Translated)

Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement and just ask a few questions following what has been discussed this afternoon? First of all, I understand that there isn’t yet an explanation or a reason for this particular incident, but it’s still a serious pollution event on this land, one of the most serious that we’ve had in the past few years. Now, local people will certainly be asking whether there is a link between this incident, the kerosene spillage, and the fact that the pipe was being worked on in general terms. So what kind of statement can the Cabinet Secretary make in terms of an inquiry at this time to ensure that the work that’s being done on the pipe in other areas isn’t going to lead to a similar incident again, and what kind of work is happening in that context?

The second question I have is about the impact on the environment. I understand that the kerosene hasn’t reached the River Towy, and I hope that that doesn’t happen, but there has been a serious effect on Nant Pibwr itself, and everyone will, perhaps, have seen the images of the dead fish, which suggest that they died in the stream because of the pollution. Will there now be steps taken by NRW—paid for by the company, hopefully—to restore the stream and to ensure that there is a restocking of fish in the stream to ensure that it does come back to life, as it were, so that it is alive again? And the final point is that the Cabinet Secretary will be aware that this pipe goes through the majority of the region that I represent. On the way to the midlands, it runs through the south of mid Wales, through many isolated areas. What kind of discussions is she having, or is NRW having, with Valero at present to ensure that there is an inquiry and assurance given for the rest of the pipe to ensure—we can’t make it 100 per cent sure, but to try and make sure that there isn’t another vulnerability in this very long pipe?