I am aware of the international mox assessment report to which the Deputy refers. I share the concerns raised in the report, in particular the increased risks which mox production poses for proliferation of nuclear weapons, concerns about the safe transport of spent fuel for the production of mox fuel and the subsequent transport of mox fuel containing plutonium and the unnecessary expansion of the nuclear fuel reprocessing industry.
BNFL has applied to the UK Environment Agency to commission the mox plant at Sellafield. As part of the process to decide whether the new mox plant is "justified", the Environment Agency undertook a consultation process earlier this year. My Department, as an interested party, forwarded a submission in April detailing the Government's concerns about BNFL's proposal. The Government is totally opposed to any expansion of Sellafield's operations, including the proposed mixed oxide plant. The Government believes BNFL has not demonstrated the "justification" of mox production at Sellafield, that is, that the benefits of the proposal outweigh its disadvantages. I understand the agency is expected to reach its decision on the plant's commissioning early next year.
I also add that the Government's concerns about the proposed mox plant were raised when I recently met with the UK Minister for the Environment, Mr. Michael Meacher, MP.
