SEPA'S Glenrothes office was the target for protestors on Sunday who joined the national day of action against perceived reductions in monitoring of the Mossmorran petro-chemical site.

The Glenrothes protest by activists from the Mossmorran Action Group, plus members of other Green groups, was organised by Climate Camp Scotland who had hoped to hold a week long camp near the plant this summer which had to be postponed due to the coronavirus crisis.

The protest claimed that SEPA have stopped monitoring of the site during the Covid-19 crisis, and demanded: restarting of monitoring with proper standards; removal of all oil and gas people from SEPA's board; and an independent investigation into the activities at Mossmorran 'to restore trust'.

They left messages which said: "Planet over Profit', 'Stop planning for a future your aren't willing to protect' and 'SEPA protect communities? Protect environment now! Shut down Mossmorran Just Transition'.

SEPA insist that monitoring is continuing of the site and that 'compliance with Scotland's environmental laws is non negotiable'.

Ian Buchanan, Chief Officer, Compliance & Beyond at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA is clear that compliance with Scotland’s environmental laws is non-negotiable. We are utilising the powers given to us by the Scottish Parliament, including the conclusion of our regulatory investigation and a referral to the Crown Office for consideration of prosecution.

“The referral is part of a package of measures to ensure the site operators invest in mitigation technologies and address the root causes of unacceptable flaring, ensuring that in future flaring becomes the exception rather than routine.

“We work closely with the Health and Safety Executive, which has responsibility for site safety as part of the Competent Authority under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations, with Fife Council and NHS Fife on areas where they have responsibility.”