GALWAY, IRELAND--February 2, 2015 --Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) As the U.K. government races to exploit shale gas reserves, Scotland's government has approved a temporary ban on granting consents for unconventional oil and gas developments in Scotland.

Scottish Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, announced his government's moratorium on granting consents just days after U.K. politicians voted against a similar ban.