31980Y0229(04)

COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 18 February 1980 on fast breeder reactors

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

has studied the Commission communication on the fast breeder option in the Community context - justification, achievements, problems and action perspectives, and in view of the fact that: (a) the Community energy-supply situation is markedby heavy dependence on imported primary energycoupled with very uncertain prospects for worldhydrocarbon supplies;

(b) the fast breeder reactor could play an importantrole in the Community's energy supplies byhelping to reduce gradually its dependence onimported uranium and by contributing to theimprovement of its balance of payments;

(c) efforts have already been made and resultsalready been achieved as a result also of thecollaboration agreements existing betweenMember States of the Community with a view tothe development of this family of reactors;

HAS RECORDED ITS AGREEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING:

- it is in the interest of the Community and of itsMember States to keep open the option of makingfast breeder reactors available to energy producerson a commercial basis within a period which takesdue account of energy requirements in theCommunity, this being without prejudice to theprocedures of the decision-making processes inthe Member States,

- the Member States and the undertakings whichhave considered it appropriate, particularly with aview to enhancing the availability of energysupplies in the Community, to carry outprogrammes in the field of fast breeder reactorswill ensure continuity in their execution and in thestudies concerned, including those concerning thefuel cycle, without prejudice to the measureswhich they are obliged to take with regard to thedetailed rules of application and will continuetheir efforts to ensure that the performance of thisreactor system provides at all times adequateguarantees in accordance with the provisions concerning safety, radiation protection andprotection of the environment,

- the Community will lend its support to theachievement of the abovementioned objectives.Any new form which that support might take andthe detailed arrangements for its practicalimplementation will be decided upon by theCouncil on the basis of proposals from theCommission.

Work on the gradual harmonization of safety codes and measures will be continued in the Coordinating Committee for Fast Reactors.

The public must be informed of the situation in the field of fast breeder reactors.

In this context the Member States will continue and step up their efforts to ensure that the public receives the fullest information on their activities in the field of fast breeder reactors.

The Commission will do likewise as regards activities with which it is concerned.