Scottish Labour push for law to ban fracking

Commenting on the news today (4/11/16) that Scottish Labour has launched a Private Member's Bill to ban fracking at Holyrood, Friends of the Earth Scotland Head of Campaigns Mary Church said:

“This is a very important step in the fight against fracking. The grounds for banning unconventional oil and gas are absolutely crystal clear in the context of the climate crisis we are facing and the threat that fracking presents to public health. While the current moratorium has halted the immediate threat of fracking, ultimately a ban is necessary.

“It's useful that Labour has kicked off a process that starts the thinking on how we actually ban fracking. We urge MSPs and parties to get behind this Bill and work together to protect the environment and end uncertainty for communities.”

Claudia Beamish MSP has made it clear that the urgent need to tackle climate change and say no to new fossil fuels is behind her proposal. The Bill has been launched on the day that the Paris Agreement enters into force.

Next Tuesday the Scottish Government is expected to publish six reports they have commissioned as part of their moratorium on shale gas fracking and coalbed methane.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The proposal for a Private Member's Bill to ban onshore unconventional oil and gas, including shale gas fracking and coalbed methane, will be lodged by Claudia Beamish MSP, Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Spokesperson for the Scottish Labour party. Details of the proposed Bill including a consultation document is available at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/101886.aspx

For more background information on the moratorium visit: http://fossilfree.scot/stop-fracking/

On 1 June this year the Scottish Parliament voted to ban fracking and other forms of unconventional oil and gas extraction, with Labour, Green and Lib Dem MSPs voting together to defeat the Conservatives who opposed this move, and the SNP who abstained. The motion was non-binding on the Scottish Government http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/PR-fracking-ban

On Thursday 27 October 2016, the Irish Parliament voted unanimously to back a private member's Bill to ban fracking http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/ireland-fracking-ban

The Scottish Government has a moratorium on onshore oil and gas extraction. It has commissioned a number of studies on climate, health, economic, seismic and transport impacts which are expected to be published next Tuesday. A public consultation is due to be held in winter 2016/17 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/onshoreoilandgas

Friends of the Earth Scotland is:
* Scotland's leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 75 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk