Appendix Two: Letter from the Falkland
Islands Government
The Falkland Islands Government was surprised to
see a reference to the Falkland Islands in the conclusions and
recommendations of the above report that was published on 6 January.
The Falkland Islands is an Overseas Territory of
the United Kingdom and therefore has its own laws and regulatory
authorities that cover offshore hydrocarbon exploration and any
potential production. Health and safety and environmental regulations,
including provision for oil spill contingencies, are enshrined
in Falklands' law and mirror much of the UK's legislation. Falklands'
legislation also takes into account the special conditions related
to the South Atlantic environment.
The Falkland Islands Government has a Department
of Mineral Resources that regulates activities related to hydrocarbon
exploration. Technical advice from the British Geological Survey
and the Health & Safety Executive is provided under contract
and DECC provides advice as and when required.
I trust this clarifies the situation in the Falkland
Islands. We are also keen to learn lessons from the tragedy that
occurred in the Gulf of Mexico last year and we will seek to apply
any recommendations that result to our regulatory regime in order
to actively prevent such an accident happening in these waters.
The Honourable Jan Cheek
Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly
13 January 2011
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