WRITTEN QUESTION E-1959/02 by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Nuclear proliferation potential.
Date: 2002-07-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: nuclear fusion, nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear safety, terrorism

C 301 E/252

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

5.12.2002

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-1958/02 and E-1960/02
given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(9 August 2002)

The sustainability of nuclear power is related to both long term availability of fuel at an affordable cost and
to use of the technology without deleterious effects on the environment and on society.

The research in the Euratom Framework Programme will contribute to the development of nuclear fusion
and to ensuring the continued safe utilisation of nuclear fission.

Nuclear energy, like most industrial activities, generates waste. In the case of nuclear energy this waste is
radioactive and must be handled properly. Some of the waste contains very long-lived radioactivity and
will need to be kept in a safe way for tens of thousands of years. The volumes of this waste is, however,
small and can be handled in such a way as to fully isolate it from man and the environment, while
preserving the economy of nuclear energy. One basic principle for the waste management is that the
generation, which has had the benefit of the nuclear energy, should also take care of the waste. The main
management route foreseen for the more dangerous forms of radioactive waste is its disposal in a tightly
encapsulated form at great depth in geological formations. However, research is also continuing into
different ways to reduce the content of long-lived radionuclides before disposal. Both research on disposal
and methods to reduce the toxicity of the waste are part of the Euratom Framework Programme. Good
progress is being made in the Member States.

The liquid and gaseous radioactive discharges from the nuclear installations must meet the Basic Safety
Standards as required in Chapter III of the Euratom Treaty.

(2002/C 301 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1959/02

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 July 2002)

Subject: Nuclear proliferation potential

In respect of the statement included in the Commission press release IP/02/872 on 17 June 2002 that, ‘It
intended that
fusion energy
generation’, will this demonstration also examine the nuclear proliferation potential, and ways to mitigate
assistance to terrorists, of nuclear fusion?

ITER should demonstrate the scientific and technological

feasibility of

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(9 August 2002)

The potential of nuclear proliferation resulting from the diversion of materials in future fusion reactors and
the consequences of a major accident caused by external events, such as those resulting from terrorist
action, have been an integral part of the successive Euratom research and training activities that have led
to the design basis for the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project.

The project ITER of research on fusion energy will have to satisfy the requirements of a rigorous licensing
process, depending on the regulatory framework of the Host Country and involving a continuous technical
dialog between the project and the nuclear safety authorities of the Host Country. The Safety Report,
which will be submitted during the licensing procedure, will address in particular the management of
radio-active materials and the damages caused by external events.