Activists of different nationalities held a demonstration against the construction of a highly radioactive waste storage facility in the Meuse department in north-eastern France, reports Europe 1 on September 2.
This Saturday, several hundred people gathered in the town of Bure, in the Meuse department, to say no to a project called Cigéo to eliminate radioactive waste from nuclear power plants. The demonstration took place at the end of the seminars, called “Rencontres des luttes paysannes” (Rencontres des luttes paysannes).
Open procession with a banner. “Maas is not a nuclear dump”, brought together anti-nuclear activists of French, German, Swiss, Brazilian and even Colombian nationality, local residents and their families. The column of protesters reached the neighboring town of Mandre-en-Barrois. The flags of La France insoumise (Indomitable France Party), the Confédération Paysanne (Farmers’ Confederation), the Sortir du Nuclear Network collective and the Solidaires union were visible.
“About a thousand people participated in the meetings and there were between 700 and 800 in the march”– told reporters Fred, a gardener and member of the organizing committee, who did not want to give his name. “Some internationalists did not participate in the march because they believe that the maintenance of order in France is carried out too cruelly”assured. The demonstration was aimed at condemning “power step” states in “Impose a landfill, despite the resistance of the inhabitants of the Meuse”according to Marie-Nege Ouchart, department secretary of the Europe-Ecology-Greens party.
“There is complete “democratic” denial around this project. And then we shower elected officials with government money to buy a conscience.”he lamented, referring to the 30 million euros distributed annually by the two public interest groups (GIP) of the Meuse and Haute-Marne to boost the local economy. “The Cigéo project gives the impression that we can use nuclear energy, that waste can be managed, although it will continue to exist here for tens of thousands of years”says Pierre Ferté, a 58-year-old beekeeper from the Marne department. “Burying them is really burying your head in the sand, that’s not the way out”.
Marie Michaud, a 30-year-old manager of small-scale agriculture projects, is concerned “the taking of Andra’s lands (National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, responsible for the Cigéo project) and safer (Société d’Aménagement Foncier et d’Etablissement Rural)” in favor of Cigéo. “It is very difficult for a young farmer to settle here since Andra controls the land”says a young woman from the Moselle. “But today we need farmers to save this territory”.
The demo went smoothly. The prefecture has strengthened security by allowing surveillance by drones and helicopters.
“The participation of law enforcement is important, there are several units of mobile forces involved”, — reported in the prefecture, but did not specify the number of mobilized employees. In January, Andra applied for permits for Cigéo to carry out the Bure nuclear waste disposal project.
At the Andra-Maas facility there is currently only one scientific laboratory and no radioactive waste is stored there.
Let us remember that the Cigéo project foresees the storage of waste 500 meters deep underground in the Cullovo-Oxford clayey formation, in eastern France. Currently the waste is temporarily stored on the surface.
Construction could start as early as 2027 if the French nuclear safety authority approves the request. The agency said that the permit for an industrial small waste storage pilot phase could be obtained between 2035 and 2040, and a full operating permit between 2040 and 2050.
Source: Rossa Primavera
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.