EU Presidency Statement - Effects of Atomic Radiation

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.

The most recent report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation contained in document A/59/46, confirms the status of the Committee as the principal international body in its field. Despite certain budgetary constraints, the Committee succeeds year after year in publishing reports of the highest standard, that address a vast array of topics related to the effects of ionising radiation. The long enumeration of subjects in paragraph 4 of the report bears witness to this.

The studies of the Committee, particularly in the field of the application of radioactive sources for medical purposes and regarding the longer term effects of exposure to radiation on human health, e.g. in the case of the Chernobyl accident, are a valuable source of reliable information for professional users.

In addition, the dissemination by the Committee of this information to the wider public by making its findings available through the internet, is an initiative that the European Union applauds. The web statistics mentioned in the report, show that this service fills an existing need.

Observers from the World Health Organisation, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the International Union of Radioecology and the Nuclear Energy Agency attended this year's meetings of the Scientific Committee. The European Union welcomes this continued exchange of information and cooperation between relevant international organisations.

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union reiterates its full support for the Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, which on the basis of its scientific authority provides the international community with essential and independent information towards evaluation of the levels and effects of exposure to atomic radiation.

Thank you.

* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process

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• EU Commission actions since the Chernobyl Disaster (21/4/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency  (3/11/2003)
• EU Presidency Statement - The Effects of Atomic Radiation (11/10/2002)