# CE2004070EN.01007101.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/71 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/71

---

(2004/C 70 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2000/03

by Jan Dhaene (PSE) and Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(16 June 2003)

Subject:   Radioactive discharges from Sellafield

Subject:

The ‘Fisheries Section Committee’ of the International Transport Federation (ITF) has called on North Sea states to demand that the UK stop radioactive discharges from Sellafield. Several national transport unions have adopted this request. The problem is not limited to the UK; Cogéma in La Hague causes widespread radioactive pollution of the local environment.

One of the isotopes that concerns the ITF the most is Technetium-99 (Tc99). This isotope is discharged into the Irish Sea, although it is technically possible for it to be filtered out and collected before the waste water is discharged in to the sea.

| 1. | Is the Council aware of the threat to the maritime environment connected with the discharge of radioactive waste from plants such as Sellafield and, in particular, to fish and shellfish and the consumers thereof. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Is the Council aware of the threat to the maritime environment connected with the discharge of radioactive waste from plants such as Sellafield and, in particular, to fish and shellfish and the consumers thereof.

| 2. | Is the Council aware of the impact on fishermen and other crew on board vessels which frequently fish these areas close to the pollution source (Sellafield and La Hague)? |
| --- | --- |

2.

Is the Council aware of the impact on fishermen and other crew on board vessels which frequently fish these areas close to the pollution source (Sellafield and La Hague)?

| 3. | What is the Council's view of the ITF proposal that the Technetium-99 should be filtered out of the waste water from Sellafield and La Hague? |
| --- | --- |

3.

What is the Council's view of the ITF proposal that the Technetium-99 should be filtered out of the waste water from Sellafield and La Hague?

Reply

(8 December 2003)

(8 December 2003)

The Council is in a general way concerned about nuclear safety and radiation protection.

As the Honourable Member will know, Sellafield is supposed to operate in accordance with Community law, in particular:

| — | Articles 33, 35 and 37 of the Euratom Treaty; |
| --- | --- |

—

Articles 33, 35 and 37 of the Euratom Treaty;

| — | Commission Recommendation 1999/829/Euratom of 6 December 1999 on the application of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty; |
| --- | --- |

—

Commission Recommendation 1999/829/Euratom of 6 December 1999 on the application of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty;

| — | Council 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 radiations, which provides the basic obligations to be complied with; |
| --- | --- |

—

Council 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 radiations, which provides the basic obligations to be complied with;

| — | Euratom Regulation 3227/76 concerning the application of the provisions on Euratom safeguards, which requires inter alia that regular reports are sent to the Commission on the activities of a nuclear site. |
| --- | --- |

—

Euratom Regulation 3227/76 concerning the application of the provisions on Euratom safeguards, which requires inter alia that regular reports are sent to the Commission on the activities of a nuclear site.

It is for the Commission to ensure proper application of this legislation, including inspections on the site. The Community, as a contracting party to the Ospar Convention, has endorsed the Ospar Strategy with regard to radioactive substances, the objective of which is the prevention of pollution of the maritime area from ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the Community's Sixth Environmental Action Programme provides for the development of a thematic strategy for the protection and the preservation of the marine environment.

Regarding in particular nuclear waste, a Commission proposal for a Directive on the management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste is being discussed in the Council bodies.

---