WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2314/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. EU subsidies for cattle exports to the Middle East
25. 2. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 60/125 A very similar procedure has been followed for the notes. The EMI Council presented the winning series of designs at the Dublin European Council in December 1996. However, certain technical specifications and the design of the map of Europe have been adjusted and the final form was accepted by the EMI Council in May 1997. (98/C 60/209) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2313/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (3 July 1997) Subject: New deal for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel at Sellafield The June 4 1997 issue of the Sellafield Newsletterí, published by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL), states that the company has signed a new deal for reprocessing the áremaining uncontracted spent (nuclear) fuelí from the five Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) run by Nuclear Electric Ltd. BNFL predicts that the deal could involve up to 3000 tonnes of spent fuel being sent to Sellafield and that the company would then decide whether to reprocess it in the Thorp plant or to store it. Has the Commission been notified of this deal by the British authorities? If so, what other details have the British authorities provided the Commission with? In particular, what provisions will be made for safety in the transport of the fuel to Sellafield and in its storage on site? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (31 July 1997) The deal mentioned by the Honourable Member is of a commercial nature. Therefore, no specific notification had to be made to the Commission. The safe transport of spent fuel is assured by transport companies in Europe according to the provisions established by the International atomic energy agency (IAEA) and included in international transport conventions. Council Directive 94/55/EC of 21 November 1994 (1) on the transport of dangerous goods by road and Council Directive 96/49/EC of 23 July 1996 (2) on the transport of dangerous goods by rail, implemented and enforced under the responsibility of the national authorities, apply to the national and intra-Community transport of spent fuel. All practices which involve a risk from ionising radiation, including the storage and transport of spent fuel, have also to comply with the basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public. The most recent revision of the basic safety standards is contained in Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 (3). National authorities are responsible for the implementation of these standards. (1) OJ L 319,12. 12. 1994 and OJ L 275, 28. 10. 1996. (2) OJ L 235, of 17. 9. 1996. (3) OJ L 159, 29. 6. 1996. (98/C 60/210) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2314/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (3 July 1997) Subject: EU subsidies for cattle exports to the Middle East Would the Commission give details of any subsidies for cattle exports to the Middle East, including the country of origin of the cattle and the amount of subsidy paid?