EU Commissioner wants control of nuclear safety

The European Commissioner for Energy has said the recent leak at Sellafield shows that the EU should be given control of the safety of nuclear installations.

Twenty tonnes of uranium and plutonium leaked from the facility three weeks ago, forcing the THORP plant to close.

Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has said it is not possible to ensure efficient European-wide safety under the many different and varied national statutes currently in force.

He has said in an area as sensitive as nuclear energy, it is essential that all control is transparent and to the highest standards.