Protests over new nuclear plant at Sellafield

The British Government’s new plutonium plant at Sellafield has been given the operational go-ahead despite protests by environmentalists.

The protestors say that the decision is unlawful and are afraid that the plant will become a target for terrorists.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett and Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn’s decision on the £460m new mixed oxide (MOX) plant in Cumbria will secure its immediate future. The MOX plant will now produce nuclear fuel from reprocessed uranium and plutonium. But Mrs Beckett argued that the manufacture of MOX fuel was justified and in line with the European law.

British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) Chief Executive, Norman Askew, said: “I’m highly delighted with the decision made by the government. I am especially grateful to all those dedicated people within BNFL who have worked for so long for this outcome. Our customers have been extremely patient with us and we can now get on with the business of manufacturing fuel for them and to repay the commitment that they have shown us.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Department of Health have announced that, following this latest period of consultation into the economics of operating SMP, the plant is justified.

South Down MP and SDLP environment spokesman Eddie McGrady said the government’s decision could have a devastating impact on County Down. Mr McGrady said it was important for all devolved assemblies to lobby the government to persuade it to overturn the decision.

Greenpeace has also warned that the Sellafield nuclear complex will increase the risk of terrorists seizing weapons usable material. Stephen Tindale, Executive Director of Greenpeace in the UK, said: “Expanding the global trade in plutonium is dangerously irresponsible, especially at a time of huge global insecurity. The Prime Minister recently acknowledged that terrorists might obtain and use nuclear weapons, which makes his move to launch an export business in bomb-making materials both inconsistent and downright stupid.” (CD)