Campaigners' Euro petition.

Byline: Greg Lewis Investigations Reporter

THE European Parliament is being urged to consider a fresh petition from campaigners concerned about levels of radiation.

Cardiff action group Community Concern has sent a 95-page document to Brussels outlining its opposition to Amersham plc's site in Whitchurch.

Around 1,200 people have signed an accompanying petition against the science company, which discharges radioactive waste.

The document is designed to ``update'' the group's campaign to drive down emissions from the site.

The European Parliament responded to a previous petition by ruling the company was complying with European directives.

However, in reply to the Feb-ruary 1999 petition, it said the issue needed further investigation.

Norma Procter, of Community Concern, said the new document included information claiming to show possible health effects of the plant published since 1999 and incorporated the group's concerns about security at nuclear sites since September 11.

``We are hoping that this information will now be looked at and considered when discussing radioactive emissions,'' said Mrs Procter.

Community Concern will now have to wait to see if its second petition will be admissible as evidence before the parliament.

Both the company and Bro Taf Health Authority say there is no clear link between the plant and alleged health effects.

Amersham plc site director Dr Vic Chambers said: ``In October 2000 the European Parliament's Petitions Committee endorsed a report from the European Commission which stated that Amersham's Cardiff operation did not breach any European legislation covering the use and storage of radioactive materials. ``This `new' petition purports to raise many issues. In reality these have already been considered by UK authorities and judged to be without foundation. Despite thorough expert investigation and rejection of every previous claim, it is disappointing that Community Concern persist in repeatedly raising the same issues.''