Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of recent protests, what is their evidence base for the environmental safeguards proposed to protect water supplies in areas of North Yorkshire affected by applications to hydraulically fracture.

The Environment Agency has issued Third Energy with an environmental permit that will ensure a high level of protection for the environment and human health. Before the permit was issued a detailed hydrogeological assessment was undertaken to ensure groundwater would be protected. This included a consultation with Yorkshire Water which was satisfied that activities would not pollute drinking water. The permit requires the operator to undertake baseline monitoring of groundwater, as well as operational monitoring, to ensure the activities are not having an impact on groundwater.

The British Geological Survey has also been undertaking additional groundwater monitoring in the area since 2015 and will continue to monitor the groundwater at the site during operations.