CLIMATE activists staged a rally outside the offices of Scotland's environmental agency in Glasgow. 

Protesters gathered next to Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) Maryhill base to demand meaningful action on "one of the country's largest polluters". 

Climate Camp Scotland, Mossmorran Action Group, and other activists have long campaigned against the Mossmorran petrochemical plant, in Fife, calling for it to be closed over noise and air pollution.

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The site was previously shut down following persistent flaring episodes.

Protestors alleged lockdown has seen a cut back of monitoring at the plant by SEPA, leaving Shell and operator ExxonMobil to self report.

Activists staging the protests further claimed SEPA has members of its board with conflicts of interest.

Glasgow Times: The site has previously been closed due to flaring The site has previously been closed due to flaring

James Glen, spokesman for Mossmorran Action Group, said ExxonMobil was "using Covid as an excuse" to delay implementing essential noise mitigation because "their only interest is in protecting their bottom line".

He said: "Communities are being exposed to such extreme levels of noise that residents are left terrified, condemned to sleepless nights, with their homes subject to visible vibration.

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"For too long, regulators have allowed Exxon to get away with operations which harm their neighbours, and Sepa should now live up to its mantra that environmental compliance is non-negotiable."

Rallies were also staged by the campaigners in other parts of the country, including in Ayr, Perth, and Dumfries. 

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.

"Actions of ExxonMobil Chemical Limited continue to be under continual review during the current coronavirus pandemic with an intensified compliance programme focusing on the steps the company is taking to prevent and minimise flaring.

“Since our inception twenty-four years ago, SEPA’s board, which provides governance and strategic oversight, has been drawn from a diverse cross-section of Scottish society. This includes those with significant environmental, public, private and third sector experience. All of who share a commitment to a socially just, sustainable and prosperous Scotland.

"Board members are appointed by Scottish Ministers, must comply with the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and make publicly available registers of interests.”

Chris Dailly, head of Environmental Performance at SEPA, said: “On Thursday 25 June, SEPA received an application from ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd seeking an extension to the delivery of its noise reducing flare tip required by the end of this year.

“SEPA is firmly focused on ensuring the company addresses the root causes of ‘unacceptable flaring’ with a clear plan and pathway to compliance."