Cara Hilton MSP has broadly welcomed the Scottish Government's commitment to the moratorium on shale gas exploitation and coalbed methane in Scotland but she believes that Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing should further use his powers and extend it to include UCG.

In a letter to the Minister, Cara Hilton MSP wrote that UCG is an “imminent threat”, with two companies preparing proposals in the Forth and Solway. She continued to state that both areas are vital to tourism, wildlife and commerce and as a result have come under strong opposition from leading organisations in such sectors.

Cara Hilton MSP said, “I know that licences for UCG are different from those for shale gas and coalbed methane and I fully support the idea that Scotland should be able to control licensing for all three techniques. However, I do not see this as a reason not to include UCG in the current moratorium when the risks are the same or even greater.

“I have called on Fergus Ewing to use the planning system and the environment licensing system to stop UCG in just the same way as he is using it to stop unconventional gas techniques.

“With the increased risks of water contamination and pollution it is imperative that he acts now to include UCG in the current moratorium.

“We cannot expose Fife to a loophole in the legislation that leaves the area vulnerable to dangerous practices like this.”