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(2004/C 78 E/0900)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3657/03

by Giovanni Procacci (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 December 2003)

Subject:   Storage of nuclear waste

The Italian Government has issued a decree stipulating that all nuclear waste currently in Italy is to be stored in Scanzano Jonico, in a rock-salt deposit a few metres underground.

The storage location is less than one kilometre from the sea and close to a river, a few metres from a gas field and in an earthquake-prone area.

According to studies carried out in the USA on waste stored in saline formations, over time radioactive material generates a rise in temperature and movement in the saline fluids which causes corrosion of the containers and therefore release of waste into the environment; scientists cannot guarantee that over time the presence of the waste will not be dangerous for the town's population.

In view of the above, can the Commission intervene by blocking this ridiculous decision, both because it constitutes a real threat for the residents of the area living a few metres from the site, and because it is detrimental to the Metapontino plain, an area located in the centre of Basilicata, Puglia and Calabria which plays host to the most developed agrifood businesses in the south of Italy and has areas with excellent tourist facilities?

How does the Commission intend to deal with the issue of radioactive waste at Community level, with a view to protecting citizens' health to the highest possible degree?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 January 2004)

Concerning the proposal to construct a radioactive waste repository in the municipality of Scanzano Jonico in Italy, the Commission notes that the original decree of the Italian government has been amended and that Scanzano Jonico is but one option amongst other potential sites to be identified and assessed by a commission of experts.

The Commission recalls that each Member State is responsible for the management of all spent fuel and radioactive waste under its jurisdiction.

The Commission has already taken steps to ensure the protection of the public and the environment. In its proposed new Directive on the management of spent fuel and radioactive waste under discussion in the Council, Member States will be required to prepare programmes for the safe management of such wastes, including their disposal.

However, existing european legislation already requires that certain steps must take place before any development approval is given.

Council Directive 2001/42/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (1) requires an assessment of, ‘inter alia’, any government plan or programme to dispose of radioactive waste. However, Member States have until 21 July 2004 to transpose this Directive into national legislation.

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, as amended by Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997 (2), requires an assessment to be carried out of, ‘inter alia’, of the environmental impact of any facilities designed for the final disposal or long-term storage of radioactive waste or irradiated nuclear fuel. Radiological effects will form part of the impacts to be assessed.

If development consent is granted, specific measures under the Euratom Treaty and secondary legislation will be applicable. All practices involving radioactive materials are subject to Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the health protection of the general public and workers against the dangers of ionizing radiation (3). In addition, there are notification requirements under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty in the case of disposal of radioactive waste.

The Commission would also like to refer the Honourable Member to the reply P-3519/03 by Mr Turco (4).

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(1)OJ L 197, 21.7.2001.

(2)OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3)OJ L 159, 29.6.1996.

(4)  See page 570.

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