31980Y0229(03)

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COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 18 February 1980

on the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,

Having taken note of the Commission communication on the points for a Community strategy on the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels , and bearing in mind that :

_ the Community energy-supply situation is marked by heavy dependence upon imports of primary energy coupled with uncertain prospects for world hydrocarbon supplies ,

_ reprocessing makes it possible to achieve a reduction in natural uranium and enrichment requirements as a result of the recycling of uranium and plutonium in thermal and fast reactors , with the prospect of reduced dependence on outside supplies of uranium through fast breeder technology ,

HEREBY RECORDS ITS AGREEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING :

1 . It is in the interest of the Community and its Member States to keep open the option of recovering and re-using spent fuel discharged from nuclear reactors , this being without prejudice to the procedures of the decision-making processes within Member States .

2 . To this end , it is necessary that :

_ the Member States and undertakings which , particularity with a view to enhancing the availability of energy supplies in the Community , have considered it appropriate to carry out programmes in the field of reprocessing , ensure continuity in their execution and in the studies concerned , without prejudice to the measures which they are obliged to take with regard to the detailed rules of application ,

_ with due regard to legal provisions and industrial arrangements already obtaining , coordination is organized amongst all interested parties to ensure that industrial reprocessing activities are carried out under the best possible conditions , from the point of view of both the undertakings carrying them out and users making use of their services ,

_ the Community , the Member States and the undertakings concerned persevere in the efforts made to ensure that these activities remain compatible throughout their industrial """" environmental protection and non-diversion of nuclear materials from the intended uses declared by the users .