The ports industry therefore wishes to play a major role in the new structures which are being created to deliver better transport integration. As a trading partner accounting for just over half of UK trade and as the source of much of the policy and legislation affecting port activity, Europe will continue to grow in importance. The BPA is strongly committed to working with colleagues in other European organisations and with the UK government to influence legislation and policy as developed by the European Commission, the European Parliament and other relevant bodies. As a relatively new source of port funding, the initiative runs the risk of conflicting with the cost recovery principles outlined above and which the Commission itself supports. The BPA believes that funding under TENS must be restricted to feasibility study funding only.
Ports have extensive environmental responsibilities.
The BPA is a member of the English and Scottish Coastal Forums and many of its members participate in estuary and coastal management initiatives. It is also a 'prime partner' in the 'Eco information' research carried out in collaboration with the European Commission and with ports from five other EU member states. Ports also play an important role in responding to marine emergencies such as oil spills. A shift of goods from land to water can help to reduce severe congestion problems on land. As indicated under 'Guiding Principles' above, encouragement of coastal shipping is partly dependent on each transport mode meeting as fully as possible its own costs.