Vol. 460 No. 4
96 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the monitoring arrangements for radiation levels in the vicinity of nuclear energy plants in each of the EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1530/96]
Under Article 35 of the Euratom Treaty, each member state is required to establish the facilities necessary to carry out continuous monitoring of the level of radioactivity in the air, water and soil and to ensure compliance with the basic standards.
The monitoring arrangements for radiation levels in the vicinity of nuclear energy plants is a matter for the national authorities in each EU member state. National authorities require each operator to undertake radiation monitoring in the vicinity of nuclear installations. The form and extent of monitoring varies from installation to installation depending on the type of installation and its location. However, there are many common features in the monitoring programmes. In general, the programmes include: the measurement of radiation dose rates in the area adjacent to the plant and the regular sampling and analysis of air, seawaters, sediments, ground and drinking waters, marine biota, soils, grasses, vegetables and milk, fish and meat.
Each operator is required to report to its national authority on the results of its monitoring programme.
