From one of the many protests that have been staged against oil prospecting.

From one of the many protests that have been staged against oil prospecting. | Joan Torres

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma11/09/2015 00:00
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The regional government is to formally ask national government to demand that companies behind prospecting for oil in the Balearic Sea and the Gulf of Lion do not do so. The government, which is to also call upon Madrid to deny permission for soundings, has expressed its rejection of prospecting because of the "irreversible impact that it would have on the environment and on Balearic society".

The Balearic government is reminding the two national ministries responsible for granting permissions - energy and environment - that there are reports from their own government which advise against permissions being given. Therefore, there is the call to deny these permissions, one that extends also to the European Commission, and a further call that Madrid directly asks the oil companies to give up their prospecting plans.

The regional government has also authorised its environment ministry to sign an agreement with the Alianza Mar Blava, which opposes prospecting. Government spokesperson Marc Pons stresses that this will demonstrate a common front between government and society in order to make clear to Madrid and the European Union that majority opinion is against prospecting in the seas off the Balearics.