Union's right of option over fissile material

16.10.2006

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4604/06
by Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE)
to the Commission

The Euratom Treaty provides for a right of option over fissile material, such as uranium. This rule is sometimes referred to as an obsolete rule created when resources were thought to be in short supply, which proved not to be true. Others consider that the rule can be used to press ahead with uranium mining in the Union.

Does the Commission consider it a risk — even in the long term and in the event of severe disruption of the world market — for the right of option over fissile material under the Euratom Treaty to be used to press ahead with uranium mining in the Union in order to meet its needs for raw material for the production of nuclear power?

OJ C 291, 13/11/2008