The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) has submitted its views to the UK Government and the devolved Scottish and Welsh Governments on significant proposed changes to nuclear emergency planning arrangements in England, Scotland and Wales. The Governments have to implement the Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive 2013, and in this area of policy need to make changes to nuclear emergency plans in order to incorporate learning points from the Fukushima disaster. In transposing the Directive to UK law, the Government have acknowledged that significant change is required to the Radiation Emergency Planning and Public Information Regulations (REPPIR), and some minor change is required to the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations (CDGs). These govern offsite emergency plans at fixed nuclear sites and the transport of radioactive materials. Whilst the UK has decided to leave the European Union, the Government has said it will still implement the Directive as it comes into place before 2019, and it will maintain consistency with the European Union in this policy area after ‘Brexit’ has been completed.
NFLA 1th Nov 2017 read more »