We, an alliance of groups from Scottish communities directly or indirectly at risk from the unconventional gas extraction industry, call on the Scottish Government to follow the example of other countries by implementing a moratorium on all forms of unconventional gas development in Scotland.
We are supported by increasing numbers of groups concerned about unconventional gas developments, by trades unions representing workers at risk of the health and safety impacts, and by organisations, scientists and public-health researchers opposed to the negative environmental, health and economic impacts. The Scottish Government can demonstrate its commitment by taking the responsible decision on the Falkirk public inquiry, to refuse permission to Dart Energy for commercial coalbed methane extraction.
A responsible decision is one truly in line with the precautionary, community-led approach to unconventional gas assessment set out in the new Scottish Planning Policy, and which sends a clear message to Westminster that their gung-ho, undemocratic approach on this issue is unacceptable in Scotland. We therefore call on the Scottish Government to refuse the Dart application, and to implement a moratorium on all further unconventional gas development, at least until such time as a full and open public-health impact and life cycle environmental impact assessment has been conducted, with effective community consultation.
Concerned Communities of Falkirk; Canonbie and District Residents' Association; Halt Unconventional Gas Extraction, Cumbernauld; Friends of the Earth Stirling; Clacks Against Unconventional Gas; Friends of the Earth Falkirk; No Fracking North Berwick; Highlands and Islands Against Fracking; Portobello Group Against Fracking; Dunbar Anti-Fracking Team; Unison Scotland; Friends Of The Earth Scotland; Don't Frack the Briggs (Bishopriggs); East Lothian Against Fracking, Pencaitland; Transition Stirling; Women's Environmental Network Scotland; Scottish Hazards Campaign; Prof Andrew Watterson and Professor Rory O'Neill, Stirling University; Markinch Environmental Action Group; Transition Town Linlithgow; Transition Black Isle; Eco Drama, Iona Community; Mull and Iona Family Group; Hands Off Our Scotland; A Greener Melrose
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