91997E2466

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2466/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: Flights of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel from the Sellafield nuclear complex, Britain

The 12 June issue of Sellafield Newsletter, produced by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL), states that Carlisle airport in Cumbria has recently been used to transport mixed oxide (MOX) nuclear fuel from the Sellafield complex 'to a customer in Europe'. According to BNFL, 'the transports involved a total of five flights and were all conducted in complete safety'.

Was the Commission given prior notice of these flights? Will it give details of any data which BNFL provided on the safety measures covering these flights?

What is the Commission's policy on the transport of MOX fuel in general?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (15 September 1997)

The transport of radioactive material is organised in accordance with the regulations of the International atomic energy agency (IAEA) and implemented, for air transport, by the technical instructions of the International civil aviation organisation (ICAO), in force in all Community Member States.

No specific notification had to be made to the Commission concerning air transport of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel.

The policy of the Commission is to ensure that the rules applicable to international air transport of radioactive material are respected.