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Block on fracking in Scotland announced by minister Block on fracking in Scotland announced by minister
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government has announced a block on planned fracking operations, pending further inquiries.The Scottish government has announced a block on planned fracking operations, pending further inquiries.
Ministers will carry out new work on the environmental and health implications of the controversial gas drilling technique.Ministers will carry out new work on the environmental and health implications of the controversial gas drilling technique.
Full control over fracking is due to be devolved to Scotland after May's general election.Full control over fracking is due to be devolved to Scotland after May's general election.
In the meantime, consent for unconventional oil and gas developments will be rejected on planning grounds.In the meantime, consent for unconventional oil and gas developments will be rejected on planning grounds.
Scottish Labour called for stricter rules, but the Conservatives warned a bar on fracking could jeopardise jobs. The announcement by Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing came a day after the boss of the Grangemouth chemical plant said the UK must embrace shale gas.
In the US, Extensive use of fracking, the process of extracting gas from rock, has revolutionised the energy industry. Tom Crotty, from Ineos, said high energy prices were damaging the industrial sector.
But opponents of the technique claim it causes earthquakes, can pollute water supplies, and could lead to inappropriate development in the countryside.
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said Holyrood ministers had taken a "cautious" approach to fracking, adding that the UK government had sought to develop it "quickly, at any cost".
He said a public consultation on the issue would be carried out, along with work to assess the public health impact of fracking.
Further work on planning and environmental regulation surrounding the process will also be undertaken.
What is fracking and why is it controversial?What is fracking and why is it controversial?
Find out more....Find out more....
In the US, extensive use of fracking, the process of extracting gas from rock, has revolutionised the energy industry.
But opponents of the technique have said it causes earthquakes, pollutes water supplies, and could lead to inappropriate development in the countryside.
Mr Ewing said Holyrood ministers had taken a "cautious" approach to fracking, while the UK government had sought to develop it "quickly, at any cost".
He announced:
Mr Ewing told the Scottish Parliament that would all "take time", adding: "Given the importance of this work, it would be inappropriate to allow any planning consents in the meantime.Mr Ewing told the Scottish Parliament that would all "take time", adding: "Given the importance of this work, it would be inappropriate to allow any planning consents in the meantime.
"I'm therefore announcing today a moratorium on the granting of planning consents for all unconventional oil and gas developments, including fracking.""I'm therefore announcing today a moratorium on the granting of planning consents for all unconventional oil and gas developments, including fracking."
Labour's Lewis Macdonald said his party had outlined a list of conditions in the UK parliament which would need to be met before fracking could take place, many of which fell under Scotland's responsibility.Labour's Lewis Macdonald said his party had outlined a list of conditions in the UK parliament which would need to be met before fracking could take place, many of which fell under Scotland's responsibility.
"The Scottish government needs to do much more is it is to meet public concern about this issue," Mr Macdonald said."The Scottish government needs to do much more is it is to meet public concern about this issue," Mr Macdonald said.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said the SNP government was more interested in "political posturing" than making decisions based on scientific evidence.Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said the SNP government was more interested in "political posturing" than making decisions based on scientific evidence.
He told MSPs: "The Scottish government would rather play politics than take decisions in the best interests of the Scottish economy." He added: "The Scottish government would rather play politics than take decisions in the best interests of the Scottish economy."
Liam McArthur, of the Liberal Democrats, said: "It's been fascinating to watch Labour and the SNP try to outdo each other in sounding sceptical about fracking, which they both support."
Green MSP Alison Johnstone welcomed the Scottish government's move, but added: "A moratorium is only a delay or a suspension."