EU to firm oil rig standards

EURO MPs have called for tougher oil rig safety standards in Europe and job protection for industry whistleblowers prepared to reveal rule breaches.

A 602-64 vote in the European Parliament in Strasbourg also called for new responsibility on oil and gas rig operators to cover the cost of any spills.

The calls come in the wake of last year’s Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, and ahead of European Commission proposals due soon for the first EU-wide laws on oil platform safety and standards.