WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2859/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Human rights abuses and excessive irradiation at Gorleben
Date: 1997-09-11
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: approval, container, human rights, ionising radiation, opposition, police, public health, radioactive waste, transport of dangerous goods, violence

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/139

(98/C 102/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2859/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(11 September 1997)

Subject: Human rights abuses and excessive irradiation at Gorleben

Has  the  Commission  seen  the  video  evidence  of  blatant  police  brutality  during  the  protects  at  Gorleben  in
connection with the recent transports of nuclear waste?

Does the Commission feel that legitimate protest against such trans-boundary nuclear waste shipments (where
the Commission has a particular responsibility to the EU citizens) can ever justify the abuse of the human rights
of citizens of the Union?

Furthermore,  has  the  Commission  studied  or  tested  the  radiation  emanating  from  the  actual  nuclear  waste
transport  containers  in  use,  to  check  for  compliance  with  standards  based  on  ICRP  60,  as  well  as  generally
concerning the actual health of the drivers, police, protesters and general public, most specifically concerning
neutron radiation, and is the Commission aware of scientific claims that the radiation from the containers is up to
30 times more dangerous than stated?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1997)

The  Commission  is  perfectly  aware  of  the  subject  of  transboundary  shipment  of  nuclear  waste  within  the
Community. However, it is not in a position to comment on national measures taken to overcome resistance
against legally authorized activities in the nuclear sector.

The  shipment  containers  in  use  are  certified  and  type  approved  according  to  international  and  national
regulations  and  standards.  During  authorised  handling  and  use,  the  protection  of  the  population  and  workers
against  the  dangers  arising  from  ionizing  radiation  is  guaranteed  by  the  application  of  national  legislation,
regulations or administrative measures based on the Council Directive laying down the basic safety standards in
radiation protection (1). There is no evidence that these standards are not being applied.

The currently accepted scientific position on biological radiation effects is reflected by the 1990 recommenda-
tions of the International commission on radiological protection (ICRP) issued as Publication No 60. The new
basic safety standards Directive 96/29/Euratom (2) mirrors the dosimetry concepts as provided by the ICRP and
there  is  no  substantial  evidence  known  which  could  give  reason  for  modifying  these  internationally  agreed
methods for monitoring and assessing doses involving neutrons.

(1)  OJ L 265, 5.10.1984.
(2)  OJ L 159, 29. 6.1996.

(98/C 102/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2862/97

by Doeke Eisma (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Investments in the Rovno and Kmelnitsky nuclear power stations in the Ukraine

The EBRD decided some time ago not to participate in the completion of the Rovno 4 and Kmelnitsky 2 nuclear
power  stations  in  the  Ukraine  as  investigations  had  shown  that  the  investment  did  not  meet  the  (cid:145)least-cost(cid:146)
criterion with which the Bank must comply. At present the EBRD has commissioned a second study to show
whether the completion of one of the plants would in fact satisfy the (cid:145)least-cost(cid:146) criterion.