A LEADING academic fears that ministers are preparing to "skimp" on a key study that will help determine whether fracking will be given the green light in Scotland.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to carry out a full public health impact assessment (PHIA) into fracking and other controversial unconventional techniques for getting to fossil fuels. The work will have a key role in determining whether a moratorium will be lifted or turned into a permanent ban.

However, despite plans for a PHIA being announced in January and a final report due to be published next summer after a period of peer review, the Government agency has not yet agreed a budget to carry out the work. A spokeswoman for HPS said: "The costs associated with carrying this work are currently being finalised with the Scottish Government."

It has also emerged that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which will assist HPS with its work, has no public health experts on its staff and no plans to take any on.

Professor Andrew Watterson, head of the Occupational and Environment Health Research Group at Stirling University, said a recent study into fracking in New York had involved 20 staff and 4,500 hours of work, and raised doubts over whether Scottish agencies were in a position be nearly as comprehensive.

He added: "Bearing in mind that a draft report is supposed to be ready in the spring of 2016, that's a big task. Either there's a lot of slack or there's a major risk the review will be skimped or regurgitate flawed previous reviews.

"Whatever budget is needed to complete the task would be money well spent if it identifies problems that might cost the Scottish Government and communities a great deal more down the line."

HPS has said it will complete a "wide ranging review of existing published research" rather than commissioning new studies, raising fears that it will be unduly influenced by research funded industry.

The PHIA will review the scientific evidence on potential impacts and risks from unconventional oil and gas developments, including a focus on the wider health related issues in relation to local communities.

Some critics of fracking have claimed that it can contaminate groundwater, exposing nearby communities and wildlife to toxic chemicals used in the process. The industry and a Scottish Government-commissioned study has said it can be carried out safely if properly regulated.

Workshops between HPS and environmental campaigners, industry representatives and other stakeholders will be held shortly.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The Scottish Government has announced a comprehensive review into unconventional oil and gas. This includes projects that will take an in depth look at issues such as public health, environmental impacts and climate change. The findings will inform a full public consultation.

"The public health impact assessment will be an independent and robust assessment drawing on the expertise of NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The findings will be peer reviewed, and a final report drawing together the findings of the work will be made publicly available."