The State Auditors on Monday criticized the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness for not finding a temporary solution to problems with oil and chemical pollution at sea. Chairwoman of the State Auditors Mette Abildgaard (K) is lashing out at Minister of Emergency Preparedness Torsten Schack Pedersen (V).
- It has been known for years that Denmark's preparedness to combat pollution at sea is so poor that we do not comply with the law. Now we can see that the Minister of Emergency Preparedness has given up on finding a solution to the fact that Denmark is not meeting its obligations until new ships are delivered in six years. We need an explanation for that, she says in a written comment.
The sharp criticism comes after a so-called follow-up note on a case that has been going on for a few years. Two years ago, the State Auditors sharply criticized the Ministry of Defense, which at that time was responsible for protecting the seas from pollution with oil and chemicals.
Since then, responsibility for combating pollution has been transferred to the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
New ships not ready until 2032
The National Audit Office writes in the memorandum that the ministry has concluded that it was not possible to find temporary alternatives to the long-term solution that has already been found.
With the partial agreement on a fleet plan under the defense agreement from 2024-2033, a political agreement has been reached that Denmark will acquire four new marine environment and mine-laying ships. They will replace the four current environmental ships.
According to the ministry, the new ships will contribute to Denmark complying with current legislation and international obligations in the marine environment area. The problem is that the new ships may not be delivered until 2032. Until then, alternative solutions to combat pollution have not been considered.
- A temporary solution to the problems with preparedness has therefore not been found, as the Minister of Defence promised in the ministerial statement, because a solution could not wait until 2032.
- The Danish National Audit Office can conclude that preparedness until the acquisition of new ships cannot be expected to meet the legislation and international recommendations. The Danish National Audit Office finds this to be critical, but at the same time assesses that this part of the case cannot be taken further, the Danish National Audit Office writes in the memorandum.
/ritzau/
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