B3-1607/93

Resolution on the processing of American nuclear fuel at the Dounreay processing plant in Scotland

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the decision by the US Administration to repatriate the 15 000 fuel elements spread over numerous research and test reactors in more than fifty countries,

B.whereas the US is thereby intensifying its anti-proliferation policy to prevent nuclear waste ending up in the 'wrong' hands,

C.whereas there are approximately 1000 used American fuel elements at SCK (the Nuclear Energy Research Centre) at Mol in Flanders,

D.whereas SCK has concluded an agreement with the UKAEA for 144 fuel elements to be processed at Dounreay in Scotland,

1.Welcomes the decision of the US Administration to repatriate used nuclear fuel elements and to store them on its territory;

2.Is of the opinion that the American authorities should do everything in their power to transport used fissile elements rapidly and safely to the USA, and that priority should be given to those elements which are stored at installations undergoing maintenance;

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council for Energy Affairs, and the UKAEA and the US authorities.