Commission proposes creation of joint undertaking for nuclear waste research
The European Commission has proposed a package of measures aimed at developing a Community approach to nuclear safety, including closer coordination of national research programmes, the creation of a joint undertaking to steer research funding and the implementation of the 'polluter pays' policy. The Commission communication includes two proposals for directives, one on safety, the other on waste management, plus a proposal for a an agreement between Euratom and the Russian Federation. The Commission finds that funding allocated to research on waste management is insufficient, despite efforts made by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The communication therefore proposes the strengthening of research efforts and the closer coordination of national research programmes. Research has thus far failed to come up with a satisfactory alternative to geological disposal for radioactive waste. The Commission is adamant, however, that research into other methods should continue: 'Deep disposal must not lead to a reduction in the level of research in other areas of radioactive waste management, such as new technologies for minimising the quantities of such waste, from which new options might conceivably emerge in the future,' states the communication. The communication advocates the 'polluter pays' principle, whereby operators that generate waste 'participate more intensively and more visibly in research and development.' The Commission also intends to propose, in the near future, the creation of one or more joint undertakings, to be responsible for steering specific research programmes on waste management. The joint undertakings would be based on a voluntary agreement with industry and the Member States, and will bring together funding from both these and the JRC. The communication recognises the role that the Commission's Framework Programme's have played in this field, saying that they '[have] played, and will continue to play, an important role in promoting research and development in the field of radioactive waste.' Under the Sixth Framework Programme, 90 million euro has been earmarked for nuclear waste management. 'Nevertheless, these programmes do not have the capacity to tackle all issues,' claims the communication.