Tom Arthur, MSP for Renfrewshire South, has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government has announced that it will not support the development of Unconventional Oil and Gas in Scotland, meaning there is an effective ban on fracking in Scotland.
Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs the decision followed an extensive period of evidence gathering, public engagement, and dialogue on the issue.
The Scottish Government’s cautious, evidence-led approach to unconventional oil and gas included a four-month public consultation which received over 60,000 responses.
Overall, approximately 99% of the consultation responses were opposed to fracking and fewer than 1% were in favour.
Commenting Tom said:
“I strongly welcome the SNP Scottish Government’s announcement that it backs a ban on fracking in Scotland. The Government’s cautious and evidence led approach to unconventional oil and gas has been the correct way to proceed and I commend the Government on the wide consultation undertaken before this announcement.”
“It is clear that people across Scotland remain firmly opposed to fracking – this Government has listened and taken decisive action and I know that many of my constituents will welcome this news.”