On 24 June 2016 the Bundestag decided to ban unconventional fracking for commercial purposes. Only four test drillings for scientific purposes were to be allowed, with the consent of the state concerned. In 2021 the Bundestag was to review the ban on the basis of scientific findings.
The SPD explained the decision in a leaflet: “Wir stellen die Gesundheit und den Schutz des Trinkwassers an erste Stelle – vor wirtschaftliche Interessen.” We put health and the protection of drinking water first, before economic interests.