AN ENVIRONMENTAL group’s agreement to drop certain claims about the impact of shale gas extraction has been welcomed by the founder of a local fracking support group.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) has agreed not to repeat statements made in a fundraising leaflet that said fracking chemicals could pollute drinking water, cause cancer and send house prices plummeting, following complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

In an investigation which was resolved informally, the advertising watchdog found the environmental charity could not back up the claims and it has agreed to not repeat them.

The complaint about Friends of the Earth’s claims was brought by Rev Michael Roberts and retired physics teacher Ken Wilkinson. The Advertising Standards Authority also received a complaint from the fracking company Cuadrilla.

Lorraine Allanson, founder of Friends of Ryedale Gas Exploration and owner of a holiday accommodation business in Ryedale said: “It’s scared a lot of people unnecessarily. I can understand people being scared about shale gas extraction but this fear has been whipped up by misinformation. It’s not fair; we need a sensible discussion about shale gas, we don’t need all this false information.”

Commenting on the ruling, Rasik Valand, chief executive of Third Energy, said: “We are pleased that the ASA has forced Friends of the Earth to withdraw its false statements about the impacts of fracking. It is an important moment in the debate about onshore oil and gas development in the UK, and means that local people will be able to make their assessment based on facts and not wild claims about health impacts, chemicals and house prices from hydraulic fracturing.”

It is not the first time scientific claims behind fracking has been disputed through the Advertising Standards Agency.

In 2013 the ASA ruled Cuadrilla should tone down its claims it uses proven, safe technology and was criticised by the ASA for asserting “we know that hydraulic fracturing does not lead to contamination of the underground aquifer” and asked to change it to, “To ensure that there can be no route for fluid or gas to leak from the shale rock up to the aquifer, we use multiple layers of steel casing sealed by cement.”

Rose Dickinson, Friends of the Earth campaigner, said: “The scientific evidence that fracking can cause harm to people and the environment is stronger than ever.

“We stand by the facts and continue to campaign against fracking in beautiful Yorkshire, and anywhere. Exploring for and extracting shale gas is inherently risky for the environment. Because of the documented risks, fracking is banned or put on hold in so many countries – shouldn’t we heed the warnings?”