A report compiled by the North West Energy Taskforce has heralded the possible contribution UK shale gas could make towards food security by helping reduce the price of nitrogen fertiliser.
Just over 75% of all crops in the UK use nitrogen fertilisers and their cost has increased by 144% since 2003. Cheap shale gas in the USA has resulted in a fertiliser industry renaissance with reports suggesting that American agriculture will use only US produced fertilisers by 2017.
Although, a similar Scottish renaissance would be dependent on the amount of recoverable shale, an increase in domestic nitrogen fertiliser production would reduce dependency on middle-eastern products.
Without artificial fertiliser, the world would need an extra five billion cattle grazing 20 billion acres of extra pasture to provide the same number of calories.
Scottish Conservative Energy Spokesperson Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The UK Petrochemical industry is in need of a shot in the arm and domestic shale gas could provide it.
“In addition to heating homes, producing electricity and making chemicals, shale gas could also be used to increase supplies of vital nitrogen fertiliser.
“The UN have conceded that without fertiliser it would be nigh impossible to feed the world’s population and I would encourage environmentalists to consider this fact before decrying the role of shale gas.
“Ineos have signalled their intention to invest heavily in Scottish shale gas and I would encourage the Scottish Government to give their backing to an industry that will not only be good for jobs and energy security but also good for food security.”