§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on current progress in negotiations between the European Union and the World Trade Organisation over implementation of the Basel convention on transfrontier movements of nuclear wastes; and if he will list the areas where agreement has not yet been reached. [2330]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Basel convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal does not apply to wastes which, as a result of being radioactive, are subject to other international control systems, including international instruments, applying specifically to radioactive materials.
Transfrontier movements of radioactive waste are covered by the International Atomic Energy Agency 's code of practice on the international transboundary movement of radioactive waste. In addition, provisions on the transboundary movement of radioactive waste are likely to be included in the international convention on the safety of radioactive waste management, currently being negotiated under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency.