Council Resolution of 18 February 1980 on the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels Official Journal C 051 , 29/02/1980 P. 0004 - 0005 Spanish special edition: Chapter 12 Volume 3 P. 0210 Portuguese special edition Chapter 12 Volume 3 P. 0210 ++++ COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 18 February 1980 on the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES , Having taken note of the Commission communication on the points for a Community strategy on the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuels , and bearing in mind that : _ the Community energy-supply situation is marked by heavy dependence upon imports of primary energy coupled with uncertain prospects for world hydrocarbon supplies , _ reprocessing makes it possible to achieve a reduction in natural uranium and enrichment requirements as a result of the recycling of uranium and plutonium in thermal and fast reactors , with the prospect of reduced dependence on outside supplies of uranium through fast breeder technology , HEREBY RECORDS ITS AGREEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING :
1 . It is in the interest of the Community and its Member States to keep open the option of recovering and re-using spent fuel discharged from nuclear reactors , this being without prejudice to the procedures of the decision-making processes within Member States . 2 . To this end , it is necessary that : _ the Member States and undertakings which , particularity with a view to enhancing the availability of energy supplies in the Community , have considered it appropriate to carry out programmes in the field of reprocessing , ensure continuity in their execution and in the studies concerned , without prejudice to the measures which they are obliged to take with regard to the detailed rules of application , _ with due regard to legal provisions and industrial arrangements already obtaining , coordination is organized amongst all interested parties to ensure that industrial reprocessing activities are carried out under the best possible conditions , from the point of view of both the undertakings carrying them out and users making use of their services , _ the Community , the Member States and the undertakings concerned persevere in the efforts made to ensure that these activities remain compatible throughout their industrial """" environmental protection and non-diversion of nuclear materials from the intended uses declared by the users .