WRITTEN QUESTION E-0565/96 by Elly Plooij-van Gorsel (ELDR) to the Commission (11 March 1996)

Subject: Radioactive pollution from the reprocessing plant at Cap de la Hague (France)

1. Is the Commission aware of the research carried out by an independent laboratory into pollution around the reprocessing plant at Cap de la Hague?

2. Is it aware that this research demonstrated clearly that there may be severe pollution, in particular from iodine-129?

3. Does the Commission consider that the checks on the reprocessing plant are adequate?

4. What does it intend to do under the Euratom Treaty to deal with this pollution?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-0565/96 and E-0566/96 given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (12 April 1996)

The Commission is aware that an independent laboratory has carried out research into levels of radioactivity, in particular concerning iodine 129, in the environment around the reprocessing plant at Cap de la Hague.

Although the Commission does not yet have the results of this research, comments in the press suggest that there is a high level of contamination. The Commission has obtained data via the environmental monitoring programme, set up by the French authorities, in order to ensure that basic standards for radiation protection (Directive 80/836/Euratom ((OJ L 233, 10.8.1989. ))) are complied with. However, this data does not indicate a particularly high level of contamination. Whatever the case may be, the level of contamination is not significant from a health point of view.

Decisions concerning the adequacy of monitoring equipment in major complex nuclear plants, such as those in La Hague, can only be made once it has been thoroughly examined. Under Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission has included La Hague in its programme of checks, and it plans to carry out such a check in 1996.

Pursuant to Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the Commission has assessed the impact of the disposal of radioactive waste from the reprocessing plant on the population of other Member States, on the basis of general data provided for plants UP2-800 and UP3 in 1989. The Commission's opinion has been published. ((OJ L 233, 10.8.1989. ))

As regards the Manche storage centre (CSM), it should be noted that the building's structure has been designed so as to prevent radioactive materials entering the groundwater. Risks to the environment caused by water migrating through the storage centre are minimal.

The Ministry for the Environment has instructed a committee to draw up an inventory of radioactive waste in the plant.

A part of the radioactive waste contains traces of long-lived radionuclides (with a half-life of more than 30 years) including traces of plutonium. The operating licence imposes strict limitations on radionuclides by container and on the plant as a whole.

In the context of a complaint made against X by an environmental organisation, the Court of Caen ordered the permanent covering of the Manche centre to be stopped. However, since then, the Court has permitted the works to be continued even though the legal proceedings have not yet ended.

The Commission is not aware that any of the rules of the Euratom Treaty, or Regulations or Directives made for its implementation, have been infringed.