By Henrietta Billings - 2nd September 2004
Brussels has launched formal legal action against the UK for failing to meet strict EU inspection rules on nuclear waste.
The European Commission announced on Friday that it would begin legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice.
Brussels is claiming the UK has failed to provide adequate information about nuclear material stored at Sellafield and did not give EU inspectors proper access to the site.
The Cumbrian plant in Northern England had been given until June 1 to deliver an accounting plan on one particular part of the site, but the details submitted have not satisfied EU officials.
"The commission has to protect the general interests of EU citizens, which cannot be subordinated to political, technical or other considerations," Europe's energy chief Loyola de Palacio told journalists after announcing the decision.
Brussels has repeatedly asked British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) to open up access to a facility on the site the so-called B-30 "pond" that stores about 1.3 tons nuclear waste.
It is estimated that B-30 contains 1,300kg of plutonium, 400kg of which is contained in fuel sludge at the bottom of the pond.
Under the terms of the Euratom Treaty, EU inspectors have to check accounting records of the nuclear material and ensure that the material is stored under safe conditions.
EU insiders say energy chief Loyola de Palacio is running out of patience and has pushed for legal action against the UK.
But de Palacio stressed that legal action was the last resort and hoped that subsequent discussions with the UK authorities would enable Brussels to drop the case.
"The commission...remains willing to look for appropriate solutions in the matter with the UK authorities."
Green MEPs in the European Parliament welcomed De Palacio's ruling, and stressed the need for further action.
"The Commission's decision is decades overdue but it must not be a one-off event," said Caronline Lucas, a Green MEP for the South of England.
But this view was not shared by all UK MEPs.
"I am very surprised and disappointed that the Commission is taking this position", said UK Conservative Giles Chichester who chairs Parliament's industry and energy committee.
"The UK has one of the most highly regulated and safety conscious nuclear industries in the world with some of the strictest rules and procedures on the handling and treatment of nuclear waste."
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.