French Government Will Stick to Ban on Shale, Says Minister Batho

The French government will not reconsider the ban on shale gas, said Ecology Minister Delphine Batho to Libération, adding that the forthcoming decision of the Supreme Court about the priority constitutional question presented by the US-based Schuepbach will not change the cards on the table. 

"The government's position will not change," said Batho to Libération.

Following public demonstration, France banned hydraulic fracturing in July 2011. Schuepbach, which holds two exploration licenses, initiated a constitutional question doubting the legitimacy of the law.

A public rapporteur presented his recommendation to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, suggesting to refer the case to the Constitutional Council. In case the Supreme Court will accept the recommendation, the Constitutional Council would then decide on the legitimacy of the law within three months. 

“Whatever the result of the proceedings before the Supreme Court, I would like to say that the position of the President and the Government will not change,” said Batho in the interview to the French newspaper.

According to the US’ Energy Information Administration, France has the third largest shale gas reserves in Europe after Russia and Poland. 

Protests against shale gas had seen thousands protesting in the streets of Brive and Sarlat, two municipalities in Southern France, earlier this month.