RF COOPER (Letters 29 August) is right to urge us to debate fracking on the evidence.

Does he though ignore his own advice in suggesting the potential of fracked gas nationally is ‘recognisable’?

Few would object to conventional fossil fuel extraction on-shore in the UK as an alternative to importing those fossil fuels. That we use fossil fuels too much is another argument entirely.

The question regarding fracking is whether such an extraction process is appropriate in this country, especially given the US experience.

The Royal Society report cited by RF Cooper considers solely environmental health and safety of UK fracking.

It doesn’t comment on potential output, the economics, GHG emissions or whether fracking would make a ha’p’orth of difference to our gas prices or our energy security.

So what does it say?

RF Cooper tells us the Royal Society report ‘concluded that the risks associated with fracking can be managed effectively and there was no reason to stop it.’ This however is not correct.

The Royal Society report concludes fracking requires proper environmental regulations – regulations which still require writing and also further research. Until then, environmental concerns remain – along with all the other reasons for not fracking.

DR MARTIN RODGER, Bloxworth Road, Poole