Gibson welcomes Scottish Government's waste policy

News release


immediate release  20/01/11






The Scottish Government have reiterated their opposition to deep waste repository site for nuclear waste, in favour of near the surface storage. Following publication of Scotland's higher
activity radioactive waste policy.


In response to a question by Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochead said that the Government's policy remained the same.

Mr Lochead said that the Policy is not prescriptive in its approach, recognising that it applies to Waste which may not be produced for decades and for which long-term management options
may not be feasible at present or have yet to be developed.


Mr Gibson said...

"This is a sensible, grown-up attitude from the Scottish Government. The idea of looking after the waste that was created in Scotland is the right approach to the problem we inherit."


"Long-term near the surface and near the site storage is the right idea. A single deep repository site is potentially dangerous and means it would be harder to monitor and retrieve
should there be a problem."


"The Scottish Government's policy is in keeping with much of the international thinking today."


ENDS


Note


Copy of Q and A


SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT


WRITTEN ANSWER


20 January 2011


Index Heading: Rural Affairs and the Environment


Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide an update on its policy for the long-term management of higher activity radioactive waste

arising in Scotland.


(S3W-38861)


Mr Richard Lochhead :


I am pleased to announce publication today of the Policy for higher activity radioactive waste arising in Scotland and also the Post-Adoption Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)
Statement. The documents can be accessed at
www.scotland.gov.uk/hawpolicy and www.scotland.gov.uk/hawpostadoption. Copies of the documents have also been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information


The Scottish Government position remains that it does not support deep geological disposal of radioactive waste. The Scottish Government Policy is that the long-term management of
higher activity radioactive waste should be in near-surface facilities. Facilities should be located as near to the site where the waste is produced as possible. Developers will need
to demonstrate how the facilities will be monitored and how waste packages, or waste, could be retrieved. All long-term waste management options will be subject to robust regulatory

requirements.

The Policy is not prescriptive in its approach, recognising that it applies to Waste which may not be produced for decades and for which long-term management options may not be feasible
at present or have yet to be developed.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders to shape the final policy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders in developing the Strategy to
implement the Policy.

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE