91997E2338

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2338/97 by Nuala Ahern (V) to the Council (18 July 1997)

Subject: Operational problems at La Hague nuclear waste and reprocessing plant

Reports in Le Monde of 17 April 1997 indicate serious operational problems at the La Hague nuclear waste and reprocessing complex on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy. Amongst the detailed allegations are radiation measurements up to 3000 times background close to the liquid discharge pipeline outlet into the sea.

As a number of European Union countries, including Germany, Belgium and Netherlands, and Switzerland and Japan outside the EU, as well as France, use the La Hague plant to treat their nuclear fuel, what steps is the Council taking to ensure that continued operation of this plant does not breach EU radiation protection standards?

Answer (17 November 1997)

The Council considers that the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Euratom Treaty on health and safety the Honourable Member's concerns.

In this context, the Council has recently adopted, on the basis of Article 31 of the Euratom Treaty, Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation ((OJ L 159, 29.6.1996. p. 1. )), notably to take account of ICRP recommendations.

It is for the Member States to transpose this Directive into their national legislation. The Commission checks the conformity of such transposition.

The Council would also point out that in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission receives information on plans for the disposal of radioactive waste and determines whether the implementation of such plans is liable to result in contamination in other Member States.

Lastly, pursuant to Articles 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty, the Member States regularly send reports to the Commission to keep it informed of the level of radioactivity to which the public is exposed and the Commission can check the operation of monitoring facilities established by the Member States for this purpose.