WRITTEN QUESTION P-2891/01 by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission. Environmental risks from the Sellafield nuclear power plant.
Date: 2001-10-12
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: International Atomic Energy Agency, United Kingdom, competence of the Member States, cooperation policy, nuclear power station, nuclear safety, terrorism

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/135

Since one of the uses of the ERDF is to rehabilitate run-down areas, can the Commission say:

(cid:28) on the basis of what criteria funding was granted for the above project, which includes the demolition

of architectural features protected by the Manises PGOU;

(cid:28) what supervision mechanisms were used to ensure correct allocation of ERDF funding in this

particular case?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 2001)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2002/C 134 E/135)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2891/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(12 October 2001)

Subject: Environmental risks from the Sellafield nuclear power plant

following the 11 September terrorist attacks in the USA,

Given the new security environment
the
proximity of British Nuclear Fuels’ Sellafield Plant in Cumbria, UK, to major population centres on the
eastern Irish coast and the appalling safety record of this plant, will the Commission as a matter of urgency
carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the risks to the Irish population of the continued operation of this
plant and,
in the interim, urge the British authorities to rescind their recent decision to approve an
expansion of the plant at a cost of more than EUR 500 million?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 2001)

The security and safety of nuclear installations is a national competence as long as compliance with the
provisions of the Euratom Treaty is assured.

Following the terrorist attack of 11 September 2001, operators of nuclear installations and national
authorities will each undertake their own analysis of the situation and will accordingly take a number of
additional measures to increase the physical protection of the nuclear installations and the material they
use or store. It is expected that all the different options will be fully analysed. For security reasons,
additional measures put into place are unlikely to be made public. The International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) will also co-ordinate major international efforts of co-operation in this area.

Concerning the operation of the Sellafield plant, the Commission would point out that the plant’s
operation has to be carried out within the strict limits set by the British nuclear regulator and meet the
requirements of the Basic Safety Standards Directives.

The decision of British authorities to approve an expansion of the Sellafield plant concerns a new facility
for the fabrication of Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel Elements. In accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom
Treaty, the Commission has already given an opinion on whether the disposal of radioactive waste from
this plant is liable to affect another Member State (1).

(1) OJ C 68, 5.3.1997.