RESOLUTION B3-1123, 1517, 1521 and 1522/92

Resolution on the international transport of plutonium

The European Parliament,

A. whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency is responsible for controlling and ensuring the safety of fissile materials,

B. alarmed at the risks posed by shipments of plutonium and other fissile materials,

C. whereas over the next few years long-distance shipments of plutonium will increase substantially, notably between Japan and the Community, in particular from La Hague and Sellafield,

D. whereas the ports of countries on the maritime routes involved may be used in case of emergency by vessels carrying such shipments,

E. whereas in the event of an accident plutonium leaks may have disastrous consequences for human health and the environment,

F. whereas if those involved in shipping hazardous substances were given special training, this would help reduce to a minimum the risk of accidents which could cause serious or irreversible damage to the environment and human health,

G. whereas there is at present no adequate legal framework for the transport of plutonium,

H. whereas although the containers specially adapted for maritime transport have proved totally safe so far, accidents are always possible,

I. whereas many of the countries using atomic energy are now reprocessing the rods,

J. whereas a ban on international shipments would merely lead to the renationalization of nuclear fuel,

K. whereas the greatest risk at present is posed by the proliferation of the plutonium contained in arms stocked in arms factories in the ex-USSR and it is here that illegal shipments of plutonium and other radioactive substances originate;

1. Calls for extreme vigilance so as to ensure that safety standards are as high as possible as regards shipments of plutonium;

2. Calls on the Commission and Council to take all the safety precautions necessary to ensure that the Community and all the states involved in such shipments are protected from accidents and that the means used for transporting radioactive materials are in line with the safety standards laid down by the IAEA;

3. Calls on the Commission to undertake to cooperate with international authorities in drawing up an appropriate legal framework for controlling the trade, transport and utilization of strategic materials such as nuclear waste, and in particular plutonium;

4. Insists, furthermore, as regards transport, on the need for the harmonization at the highest possible level internationally of controls on ports and coastal areas and on the need to increase safety standards in shipbuilding; highlights, in this connection, the indispensable role that the most advanced technologies can play in the construction of vessels fitted with special safety features;

5. Is opposed to any transport of radioactive waste by civil aviation companies;

6. Calls on the Commission to enter into negotiations with the United States and Japan to ensure that the human population and the natural environment are adequately protected from shipments of uranium and plutonium;

7. Demands that the Member States and all other states involved in the transport of such substances be duly informed of such radioactive shipments so that all safety precautions can be taken to avoid possible disasters;

8. Calls on the Council, the Commission and the governments concerned to notify the European Parliament before the end of the year of the measures they have taken to eliminate all risks in connection with international shipments of radioactive materials;

9. Calls for a solution to be found within the framework of the IAEA so that, where an accident occurs, responsibility for any damage can be clearly established;

10. Calls for controls on fissile materials to be made even more international and, notably, to cover international stocks of plutonium;

11. Calls on the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States to take whatever initiatives are necessary to track down 'loose' plutonium on Community territory and thus to put it out of reach of criminal organizations;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the IAEA and the governments of the Member States.