DEFRA publishes responses to geological disposal of radioactive waste
Responses to a consultation on the way ahead for the geological disposal of radioactive waste have indicated broad support for the proposals
The Managing Radioactive Waste Safely : a Framework for Implementing Geological Disposal consultation was issued in June 2007, and invited comments on the UK Government's proposals for securing the long term management of higher activity radioactive waste through geological disposal.
Defra has today published the Summary and Analysis of Responses to that consultation, which closed in November 2007. The responses indicate:
- support for the proposals set out for securing the geological disposal of higher activity radioactive wastes;
- support for how we might use a voluntarism / partnership approach and site screening and assessment criteria to identify a facility site;
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn, said:"Geological disposal of radioactive waste is already being worked towards by a number of countries, and the UK Government has been clear for some time that this is our preferred way forward.
"This consultation sought to establish whether the way we propose to implement geological disposal - as recommended by the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) - is on the right lines. The results show that these proposals received support.
"This is a way forward for the long term. I re-emphasise our commitment to ensuring the safe and secure interim storage of waste and to a programme of ongoing research and development to support implementation of both the interim storage and geological disposal parts of this programme. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will have the primary responsibility for delivering these programmes."
All consultation comments will be considered in developing the details of the next stages of the implementation process. Those next stages will be set out in a White Paper to be published later this year.
The Summary and Analysis of Responses is available on Defra's website at: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/radwaste-framework/index.htm.
