News from the Low Level Radiation Campaign in the UK.

Our friends in "Low Level Radiation Campaign" in England have had several long meetings, both with the EU Commision as well as with their own environmental minister.

It seems as if they have won some respect from their own government for our objections to the directive - and that England may choose to not implement the new limits, but rather will stick to their present limits of 400 Bq/kg. Indications have been made that they will not let go of controls on how industry gets rid of radioactive materials It is assumed that 400 Bq shall continue to be the maximum limit for disposal of radioactivity from exempt businesses and for clearance from nuclear sites. The Low Level Radiation Campaign opposes clearance of contaminated material - even at the 400 Bq/kg level - because of the very large amounts of radioactive atoms that could be released into the environment by that route.

The british government�s position is far more cautious than expected by the commission, the nuclear industry or the radiological protection organisations. It's a good example for all other governments to follow. We can certainly decide to maintain tougher regulations and practices within our own countries, even though the problem with imported goods from other countries remains - if we allow EU�s concept of radioactivity as a "free trade"-commodity to be unchallenged!

Swedish