Gordon Banks defends bottled water industry

17 March 2008

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks spoke out last week during DEFRA question time, where he quizzed Minister Phil Woolas over his comments relating to the bottled water industry made in a recent Panorama Programme.

Mr Banks said –

“I wanted to give the Minister the opportunity to clarify the remarks he made in the programme and also to remind him of the positive impact to the economy that bottled water companies such as Highland Spring in my constituency make.”

“The real issue here should be the environmental footprint of the product and not the product itself. We should be encouraging a greater uptake in the drinking of water as it has obvious health benefits when compared to many of the carbonated and sweetened drinks that are currently on the market.”

“I have issued an invitation for the Minister to visit Highland Spring and see first hand some of the excellent work that goes on there but he will also have the opportunity to learn how the company is making attempts to lower its carbon footprint. I was impressed by the commitment of Highland Spring when I visited the site personally last week to acknowledge and reduce its carbon footprint and I hope that the Minister can accompany me on my next visit.”

“Drinking water is healthy and there are guidelines from the Department of Health on increasing our water consumption, it is important therefore not to group all bottled water producers into one bag. Domestically produced water obviously has a lower carbon footprint than water imported from half way round the world. Therefore targeting the entire bottled water industry is wrong in my view.”

As well as his visit to Highland Spring, Gordon also met with representatives of Perth and Kinross Council last week to discuss the issue of Private Water Supplies in the area –

Mr Banks said – “The meeting came about from representations made to me by a constituent who was concerned about the upkeep about private water supplies in the area.”

“I raised the issue with the Executive Director at the Council and was pleased to learn about the Council’s actions. Perth and Kinross Council are one of only a few Council’s who have established a Water Department and they are pro-actively allocating money to ensure that the standard of private water supplies in the area is high.”

“It is vitally important that all parts of Perth and Kinross have access to good quality safe water and I am pleased that the Council are committed to preserving these important water sources.

“I would urge residents of private supplies to contact Perth and Kinross Council to have their supply tested and to establish what action and support is available to protect their water quality.