WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1337/98 by Glyn FORD to the Commission. Funding a Mox text facility
22. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 402/113 (98/C 402/146) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1335/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Development of a MOX (plutonium and uranium) reactor fuel Relating to the arrangements for the disposal of radioactive wastes and with reference to the other option for handling plutonium, that is the immobilization route for separated plutonium, what funding is available for this route? Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (29 June 1998) Within the nuclear fission safety programmeís research area on exploring innovative approaches, some theoretical studies have been undertaken on the use of áadvancedí mixed oxide fuels (MOX) for transmutation of plutonium. In addition, the Commission has been studying over several years the characterization of MOX fuel and its behaviour. Funding of research and technological development has also been provided in the area of spent fuel immobilization, namely in deep geological repositories. However, there is no Community support provided for investment in the immobilisation of spent fuel or the fabrication of MOX. (98/C 402/147) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1337/98 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Funding a Mox text facility Further to the answer given to Written Question E-2891/97 (1), can the Commission say what body is responsible for setting the standards for the tests in the Low Dispersible Materials test facility? (1) OJ C 158, 25. 5. 1998, p. 17. Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (23 June 1998) The genesis of a material such as LDM (low dispersible material) must be approved by the competent authorities concerned. It will be up to those safety authorities to establish the methodology to be used in qualifying LDM in accordance with the criteria recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) › where appropriate in experimental facilities. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) could be such a facility. (98/C 402/148) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1338/98 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Habitats Directive and Berne Convention What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that it agrees on the inclusion in the annexes of the Berne Convention and the Emerald Network the key species which have been left out of the Annexes of the Habitats Directive?