Mossmorran protesters to demand Fife Council ‘take the bull by the horns’ – Auto Republish

Protesters are expected to gather in front of Fife Council’s headquarters this week to demand an investigation into flaring at Mossmorran.

People living near the petrochemical plant say they are concerned their health is being impacted by excess noise and light pollution caused by the burn off.

The most recent bout of flaring over the Easter weekend lasted six days, and residents are asking councillors to look into why it happened.

The Mossmorran Action Group (MAG) is asking demonstrators to wear gas masks to the protest.

Chair James Glen said:

“MAG has been calling for a full independent investigation since the bout of extreme emergency flaring two years ago. 

“The work of Lesley Laird MP’s multi-stakeholder group has been useful and we have seen SEPA up its game a bit, but little real progress has been made in either establishing the impacts of the plant or finding ways to mitigate them. 

“There has been no progress at all in providing residents with any kind of redress over what they are forced to endure.

“The recent six day long period of emissions from the plant – longer, nastier and more extended in its pollution, noise and light impacts – has left thousands of people asking questions and demanding answers.

“The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) only turns up when the flaring is underway and then takes a snapshot of very limited impacts – noise and some emissions – in a couple of places because its overriding interest is to check Mossmorran’s compliance with regulatory conditions.

“No one is measuring the wider, ongoing picture with all the emissions from Mossmorran and how they are affecting the environment and people’s lives.

“Only an independent comprehensive study can do that.

“SEPA lacks the authority, expertise and resources to carry out such an investigation, as the experience of the last few years demonstrates.

“We want Fife Council to speak with one voice in demanding that the Scottish Government act now.

“It’s time for everyone – from Fife Council to the Scottish Government – to take the bull by the horns and establish once and for all exactly how Mossmorran is affecting local communities.”