(2004/C 65 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1448/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(28 April 2003)

Subject:   Radioactive fuel and waste

What requirements does the Commission make to ensure the safety and security of shipments by sea in European waters of radioactive fuel and radioactive waste?

Has the Commission expressed any particular concerns with regard to the movement of MOX shipments to and from the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing facility in Cumbria, United Kingdom?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(26 May 2003)

The attention of the Honourable Member is drawn to previous answers made by the Commission on similar or related issues where additional information can be found (H-0398/01 by Mr Fitzsimons during question time at Parliament's May 2001 session (1), E-3277/01 by Mrs Breyer (2), H-0501/02 by Mr Fitzsimons during question time at Parliament's July 2002 session (3) and P-1904/02 by Mrs Doyle (4)).

International transport of radioactive material is governed by international legislation, such as the ‘International Maritime Organisation (IMO)’ rules in the case of transport by sea, Community legislation and by the legislation and procedures of the sender, receiver and transit countries concerned.

In addition, Council Directive 93/75 EEC of 13 September 1993, concerning minimum requirements for vessels bound for or leaving Community ports and carrying dangerous or polluting goods (5), imposes an obligation on the operator of such vessel to notify before departure the competent authority of the Member State about the destination, the intended route and the nature of the dangerous goods transported.

While in the United Kingdom, the mixed oxide (MOX) fuel will be subject to regulatory control under the safeguards regime. The Commission must ensure through Euratom Safeguards the implementation of the safeguards regime.

Safety and security arrangements for this type of shipment must respect international and national regulations concerning the transport of radioactive material. It is up to the National Authorities to ensure compliance with these regulations.

The Office of Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) in the United Kingdom is responsible for the regulation by civil nuclear operators for the secure transport of ‘sensitive categories’ of nuclear material. In this context, the Office is the United Kingdom's designated national authority under the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, for shipments to and from overseas destinations.

The security arrangements for shipments of MOX between Japan and the United Kingdom were also reviewed by the United States and Japanese regulatory authorities. All the security authorities were satisfied that the security arrangements were ‘amply robust to deal with any potential threat’.

In the light of the above, it appears that adequate security and safety measures are in place or shipments of MOX fuel to and from the United Kingdom.

(1)  Written reply of 15.5.2001.

(2)  OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002.

(3)  Written reply of 2.7.2002.

(4)  OJ C 277, 14.11.2002.

(5)  OJ L 247, 5.10.1993.