There was a peaceful protest opposing so-called fracking outside petrochemical company INEOS’ Grangemouth facilities last weekend calling for a ban on shale gas extraction in Scotland.

On Sunday (7 December) around 350 demonstrators gathered outside the company’s refinery in the Falkirk town. A variety of speakers, including Prof. John Robertson from the University of West Scotland, Dr Richard Dixon director of Friend of the Earth and North Lanarkshire councillor Patrick Hogg, talked about issues around unconventional shale gas extraction. Some were calling for a moratorium in order to ban fracking until it is proven to be safe.

Organising the protest Moria Williams told the Advertiser the people gathered together because “they don’t want their land fracked.” She said: “We are just not willing to risk the environmental damage that comes with [unconventional gas extraction] and how our way of life will change if we become a massive fracked land. We don’t want the earthquakes and the polluted water and all that comes with fracking.

“We are just making ourselves visible, it is good that people can see that we are willing to come to [INEOS], maybe they will come to us and tell us why it is a good thing, they had enough invites to come and speak to the people. If they won’t come to us and explain how they are going to make fracking safe then we’ll come to them and ask.” In a statement released on Sunday INEOS said it was “disappointed with today’s decision by shale gas protesters to demonstrate outside its Grangemouth plant.” Gary Haywood, INEOS Upstream CEO, said: “The future of UK manufacturing depends on developing a safe UK Shale gas industry. It would be a tragedy if a vocal minority of protesters stopped this development based on misinformation. INEOS is committed to engaging with communities to ensure that everyone understands the full facts.” Moria added: “I work in a shop, I’m Mrs Ordinary with children and a future for them to look forward to and I’m taking my responsibility as a citizen to make sure that I have something for my children to inherit.”