Big turn out at anti-shale gas protest in Cahors

AROUND 5,000 people attended an anti-shale gas protest in Cahors over the weekend, joining others across France in opposition to the plans.

A giant banner was strung across the Pont Valentré in Cahors with people displaying placards and posters against the plans, the Schiste Happens website features photographs from the day.

It seems likely that plans to exploit shale gas (gaz de schiste) in the Lot region of south west France, as well as southern France and around Paris are set to be dropped.

The French National Assembly is expected to debate the issue on May 10, but opponents of the shale gas extraction technique which injects water and chemicals at high pressure into rocks to force out gases, are to continue ratcheting up the pressure.

Related article: Fighting shale gas plans in the Lot