UNITED NATIONS COURT OPENS IRISH PLUTONIUM CASE AGAINST BRITISH GOVERNMENT

19 November 2001

Hamburg - An historic legal case will open here today where the Government of Ireland is seeking to prevent the British government from opening a new plutonium fuel facility. The case is to be heard at the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, in Hamburg, November 19-20th. Greenpeace has described the case as a major challenge to the plans of the UK to ship tens of thousands of kilograms of weapons-usable plutonium around the world.

The Sellafield nuclear reprocessing site has been at the centre of controversy between the UK and Ireland for decades due to daily releases of radioactive waste into the Irish Sea, resultant contamination of marine life, and concerns over the impact on the health of people in Ireland. Ireland, along with countries around the world, has been particularly concerned with the dangerous nuclear transports of waste and plutonium to and from Sellafield.

Ireland has asked the Tribunal to issue provisional measures, a form of injunction, that would suspend the license for the British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. (BNFL) plutonium fuel manufacturing facility, SMP (Sellafield MOX Plant).

They have also asked that the Tribunal instructs the UK government to not permit any nuclear transports into or out of the UK associated with the operation of the SMP. The UK government issued a license to operate the controversial SMP on October 3rd, despite strong opposition from Ireland, governments in the Nordic region and environmental groups.

"Coastal states around the world are watching this case closely," said Greenpeace International lawyer Duncan Currie. "This case shows that shipping states can be held to account for risks to the environment caused by their activities, and States concerned about increased risks of terrorism have a means of redress." Ireland has stated that terrorist attacks of September 11 warrant a review of security surrounding the MOX facility and international nuclear transports. Greenpeace has long claimed that security of nuclear transports is inadequate.

Ireland has filed for a full hearing before an arbitral tribunal under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which would not begin until 2002. "Sellafield currently holds a stock of plutonium of over 70,000 kilograms. BNFL, fully backed by the UK government, would like to proliferate this plutonium around the planet by shipping MOX fuel to as many clients as possible. The UN Tribunal needs to act now to prevent these shipments before catastrophe strikes," said Shaun Burnie, nuclear campaigner of Greenpeace International.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Shaun Burnie +31 629 00 11 33, Duncan Currie +64 21 632 335.

Visit www.britishnuclearfuels.com