Thermoelectric biomass power plant and radioactivity in Ukraine
16.5.2017
Question for written answer E-003384-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dario Tamburrano (EFDD) , Ignazio Corrao (EFDD) , Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL) , Xabier Benito Ziluaga (GUE/NGL)
In 2013, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) granted a loan of EUR15.6 million to fund the development, construction and operation of a thermoelectric biomass power plant in Ivankiv, Ukraine[1]. According to the information and documents gathered by the Italian NGO ‘Mondo in Cammino’, this power plant burns up to 641.76 tonnes of timber contaminated by Chernobyl fallout every day.
Part of the timber comes from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Every 100 kg of timber burned leaves behind 1 kg of ashes, with an average radioactivity content of 3 000 Bq/kg. These ashes are then distributed to local farms as crop fertiliser. The plant did not pass the expert examinations with regard to radioactive safety, and it seems to lack filters to counter air emissions.
Radioactivity does not stop at borders, and radioactivity in the soil (or in fertilisers) is absorbed by vegetation and contaminates food.
Against this background, the Commission is asked the following:
- 1.How is it possible that the EBRD can allow such an environmentally harmful project to be funded?
- 2.What measures are in place to prevent the import into the EU of radioactive food? If no such measures are in place, when will they be?
- 3.What type of measures will the Commission suggest to the Ukraine authorities with a view to eliminating any danger the Ivankiv plant poses to the health of the local population?
- [1] http://www.ebrd.com/news/2013/ebrd-channels-155-million-to-support-major-biomass-project-in-ukraine.html