Francisco Guerreiro questions European commissioners on the security of nuclear fuel supply

Brussels, 4 July 2020 - MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) questions the Commissioners for Energy and for International Partnerships on the new report from the Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) on the security of nuclear fuel supply.

In a letter to Commissioners Kadri Simson and Jutta Urpulainen, Francisco Guerreiro and other signatories argue that “this report fails to raise key principles: respect for environmental objectives, respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, trusting partnership relationships and the safety of citizens”.

They also question the European Commission's involvement to ensure that this decision authorising the uranium mining license did not impact on environmental and social objectives.

The MEPs show concern over the agreement between Kazakhstan and Orano which authorises the razing of a protected forest in order to exploit a new uranium deposit. Also, Orano will use a technique that releases considerable quantities of radioactive gas (radon) and produces large quantities of contaminated sludge and effluents, presenting a risk of irreversible contamination of groundwater.

The signatories also ask what initiatives has the European Union (EU) taken to ensure that serious, independent and transparent scientific and epidemiological studies can be carried out on the employees of the mining companies located in Arlit and Akokan, in Niger, and on the surrounding population living in these mining towns, and that pathologies linked to mining activities can really be treated and that the sites can be effectively decontaminated.

Read the full letter below.

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