The battle of Balcombe is indeed of national importance (leading article, July 29). As CEO of Regester Larkin, a reputation management consultancy firm, I am aware that shale gas supporters must learn from the attempted introduction of genetically modified crops 20 years ago.

Monsanto, an agricultural company, and others failed to connect with a sceptical public. Non-governmental organisations steered the debate towards environmental risk and corporate profit. The emotional trumped the rational.

The same will happen with shale gas unless the industry learns the lessons of the past. More must be done to frame the debate positively.

This month, Monsanto pulled GM crops out of Europe, despite David Cameron saying it is “time to look again at the whole issue for GM food”. I hope that, 20 years from now, we will not still be having the shale gas debate. The country needs it now.  MORE