UK astounding decision will give terrorists access to nuclear bombs

The Greens/EFA, including Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales, in the European Parliament today unanimously condemned the UK Government's decision to give the go-ahead for a new controversial plutonium fabrication plant at Sellafield (North of England). Speaking on behalf of the Group, Nuala Ahern MEP (Greens-Ireland) Vice-President of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy said:

"The British Government's decision today to allow BNFL open the Sellafield Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Plant (Sellafield's MOX plant) is a completely insane decision. If the Sellafield MOX plant becomes operational it will be processing tons of plutonium into MOX fuel. Plutonium sufficient to produce thousands of cancers could be dispersed if it were attacked.

"British Nuclear Fuels are misleading people by suggesting that MOX is getting rid of plutonium, unfortunately it is, it is a way of handing it over to terrorists. They are inviting terrorists world-wide to go nuclear."

Jill Evans MEP, (Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales) and member of the European Parliament's Environment Committee added:

"It is unbelievable that the UK government has taken such an arrogant decision at a time of heightened security concerns. While countries like Germany have stopped nuclear transport and have increased security on nuclear sites, it is astonishing that Tony Blair has decided to essentially encourage free trade in plutonium. Of course the UK government cannot give a guarantee that plutonium shipments will not be a terrorist target."

Jean Lambert MEP (Greens - London) concluded:

"The British Government's decision today is a dangerous and costly failure of imagination. On Tuesday Blair was telling his Party Conference that climate change could be defeated and "with imagination, we could use or find technologies that create energy without destroying our planet". On Wednesday, we get MOX - a dirty and dangerous fuel made from highly toxic mixed uranium and plutonium. It needs armed guards to transport it to customers by sea, where it's a sitting target for terrorists. Aircraft won't carry it and our Government shouldn't touch it. It is not a clean, green fuel but a toxic time bomb. What was Blair imagining if this is his answer?

Diwedd/Ends.