7. 5. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 114/1 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision amending Council Decision 
74/642/Euratom adopting a research and training programme for the European Atomic 
Energy Community on plutonium recycling in light-water reactors 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 140 of 15 June 1978, page 6. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 6 June 1978, the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Atomic Energy Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 161st 
plenary session held in Brussels on 12 and 13 July 1978 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of 
the European Communities on 6 June 1978 for an 
opinion, 
Having regard to the Commission's proposal of 
22 April 1974 for a Council Decision adopting a 
programme of research and education for the European 
Atomic Energy Community on plutonium recycling in 
light-water reactors (Indirect nuclear project) (1), Having regard to the favourable opinion unanimously 
adopted by the Committee on 17 July 1974 on that 
proposal (2), 
Having regard to the Council Decision of 17 December 
1974 adopting the programme for a four year period 
(1 January 1975 to 31 December 1978) (3), 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau 
entrusting the Section for Energy and Nuclear 
Questions to draw up a report and an opinion on the 
matter, 
Having regard to the opinion issued by the Section for 
Energy and Nuclear Questions at its 41st meeting held 
on 30 June 1978, 
(!) OJ No C 68, 12. 6. 1974. (2) OJ No C 125, 16. 10. 1974, p. 50. 
(3) OJ No L 349, 28. 12. 1974, p. 61. 
No C 114/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 7. 5. 79 
Having regard to the oral report made by the 
rapporteur Mr Schlitt, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 161st plenary 
session held on 12 and 13 July 1978 (meeting of 
12 July), 
Whereas the operation of nuclear power stations will 
lead to the production of substantial quantities of 
plutonium in the coming years; 
Whereas it will not be possible to burn all the produced 
plutonium in fast breeder reactors for a very long time 
to come; 
Whereas the inclusion of plutonium in the fuel mix for 
light-water reactors would result in significant savings 
of scarce uranium and the removal of that quantity of 
plutonium from the environment; 
Whereas it is therefore desirable to develop the use of 
plutonium in light-water reactors; 
Whereas the Community research and development 
programme is already yielding useful information, but 
whereas not all results will be known by 31 December 
1978, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
with no votes against and one abstention: 
1. On 17 July 1974 the Committee endorsed the 
proposal for a Euratom research and training programme on plutonium recycling in light-water 
reactors (LWRs) covering the period 1975 to 1978 
(appropriation 4-5 MUA). 
2. In its opinion on that proposal the Committee took 
the view that no substantial fast breeder capacity was 
likely to be operational before the 90s. It was therefore 
possible and made economic sense to recycle (i.e. use in 
LWRs), at least during a transitional period, the 
increasing quantities of plutonium that would be 
produced in the coming years. The use of plutonium in 
LWRs would also lead to an appreciable reduction in 
the demand for natural uranium and for enrichment 
services — an aspect of special importance today. 
3. Delays have occurred in the post-irradiation 
examinations forming part of the plutonium recycling 
research and traning programme, as a result of longer 
fuel dwell times in the reactors. On completion of the 
individual research projects the need also became 
apparent to summarize the results. This summary is 
necessary in order to be able to draw up the planned 
follow-up programme. Since all these activities will run 
over the deadline into 1979, the four year programme 
will have to be extended by one year. The Committee 
endorses the Commission's proposal and approves the 
one-year extension of the programme, together with the 
additional expenditure of 250 000 EUA that this will 
involve. It further welcomes the careful preparation of 
the planned follow-up programme, which it regards as 
absolutely necessary for optimum and safe use of 
plutonium. The Committee would like to be consulted 
in good time on the follow-up programme. 
Done at Brussels, 12 July 1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Basil de FERRANTI 
Opinion on the future of forestry in the Community 
The opinion of the Committee is not based on any text. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
At its 151st plenary session held on 28 and 29 September 1977 the Committee, acting on a 
proposal from the Bureau, decided to deliver an opinion on the abovementioned subject on 
its own initiative.