British give go-ahead for MOX fuel plant at Sellafield

The British government today gave the go-ahead to start operations at a controversial nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield…

The British government today gave the go-ahead to start operations at a controversial nuclear reprocessing plant at Sellafield in Cumbria.

Environment Secretary Ms Margaret Beckett and Health Secretary Mr Alan Milburn said work could begin on the manufacture of mixed oxide (MOX) fuel at Sellafield in Cumbria.

The British government says the move is "justified" in accordance with the requirements of European Community law.

Jacob and Auken
Sven Auken (L), Danish Environment and Energy Minister and Joe Jacob, Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise, before a meeting to discuss the closure of Sellafield in March last year

Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace have slammed the decision, claiming it was "unlawful".

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In June Minister of State for Public Enterprise Mr Joe Jacob said the Government would take an action against the British government over the plant.

Mr Jacob said he was pursuing the action because the British government had withheld information on the ground of commercial confidentiality. He said this information is required to assess the justification for opening the plant.

additional reporting PA

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times