Chatel (LR): “We must be the party of shale gas and GMOs” – Ouest-France

The environment? Not a priority seems there for Republicans … The new chairman of the National Republican Council, Luc Chatel, has indeed said Sunday that LR was “be on the innovative principle than the principle precaution, the party of shale gas, the use of GMOs, the party biotech “.

A favorable positioning in the exploitation of shale gas already supported by the delegate to the Republican environmental, Maud Fontenoy. “The economic policy we will conduct in 2017 should be based on three principles: agility, responsiveness and competitiveness” , has he said at the podium before continuing: “The Republicans must be assumed to innovation than the precautionary principle, the party of shale gas, GMOs, biotech. “

This morning on Europe 1 , Chatel said it was for Republicans ” be the actual party and take the turn of the XXI ^th century. “

” opportunistic Change of Heart “ PS

The reactions were not long left. PS Monday denounced the “Environmental regression” and “opportunistic reversal and guilty” Republicans. “The words of Luc Chatel in favor of shale gas indicate a reversal of opportunistic guilty and Republicans on this issue,” , said in a statement the PS recalling that in 2011, “the same” yet had “passed a law prohibiting hydraulic fracturing in France” , the extraction technique, “on the grounds that she was extremely incur risks adverse “.

“The Republicans opting to environmental regression” adds PS, denouncing “backward-looking and ineffective measures” to meet the “economic, social, environmental and climate of the XXI century. “

What about Sarkozy’s Environmental Grenelle

This declaration on shale gas and GMOs do not pass among environmentalists, to image of EELV Denis Baupin MP who denounced Monday on PCL “fantastic retreat” with “to the period of the Grenelle de l’environnement” under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy.

“Dare to tell the French that, largely, refuse shale gas, refuse GMOs in their food, it’s the project tomorrow (…) I think it is something against which we will have to mobilize “, warned the vice president of the national Assembly, calling his party to denounce these remarks and to ” fight against the right “ while EELV has not yet responded officially.

the exploitation of shale gas requires many features like hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, instead of vertical. In France, the law of 13 July 2011 prohibits the use of hydraulic fracturing, deemed harmful to the environment.