Welcome for PIB discharge ban – George

West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, has welcomed news that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has banned the discharge of polyisobutylene (PIB) at sea following contamination spills earlier this year which resulted in thousands of seabird strandings.

Mr George, who was one of the MPs leading the campaign to ban the discharge of PIB at sea, has warmly welcomed the quick response from the IMO in bringing forward a ban.

He said: “The IMO have surprised us all and have moved with remarkable speed. This is very welcome and excellent news for the marine environment.”

Mr George had been pressing Ministers, the UK Major Ports Group and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) about the need to regulate and prosecute ships which discharge pollutants.