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UK government backs down, will not test-fire depleted uranium weapons

“Although this is a big step forward, the campaign must continue until there is a clear guarantee that there will be no more test firing of DU shells in Scotland at any point in the future.”

This is a major victory for our campaign and one that reflects the increasing global opposition to depleted uranium.

CADU campaigners plan to hold a public meeting in Dumfries at the end of May to discuss further plans with local residents. More details will be released on their website 

Ministry of Defence back down over test firing of depleted uranium munitions in Scotland, Occupy News Network, 1 May 13

– Parliamentarians and campaigners claim this as a ‘major victory’ 

Last week Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, told Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, that the MoD will not fire depleted uranium (DU) as part of the  current Life Extension Programme. This is the first time the MoD have bowed to public and political pressure and not fired depleted uranium as part of the life extension programme (LEP) of CHARM3.

CHARM3 is the UK’s only remaining DU round. It comes in two pieces – the uranium dart and a propellant charge. The license for the charge expires every five years, the current expiry date falling in 2013. Despite local and national objections, the MoD has fired 31 tonnes of DU from Dundrennan Firing Range in Kirkcudbright, DU rounds which have been falling into the Solway Firth since 1982..

In previous months both Philip Dunne and Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond, have responded to questions from MP’s with what anti-DU campaigners claim are evasive answers in an attempt to avoid being pinned down on this issue. Dunne’s latest response, stating that the current LEP will not involve the firing of DU has been seen as major victory for members of both the Scottish and UK Parliaments and anti-DU campaigners. Aileen Mcleod MSP for said “There’s no question as far as I am concerned that this is a clear u-turn on the part of the UK Government. Until now they have only ever been willing to say there are no current plans to test-fire DU munitions. The concerted efforts of the Campaign Against Depleted Uranium have obtained the clearest statement to date that there are in fact no plans to test fire DU shells at all during the current, planned life extension programme of the munitions.

“Although this is a big step forward, the campaign must continue until there is a clear guarantee that there will be no more test firing of DU shells in Scotland at any point in the future.”…..

Campaigner Rachel Thompson said ‘The MoD’s sudden assertion that extending the life of its depleted uranium ammunition would not involve live firing is disingenuous in the extreme. Firing into the Solway has followed a predictable pattern for many years and it is clear that this U-turn is linked to increased parliamentary and public opposition to this environmentally dubious and potentially illegal practice.

This is a major victory for our campaign and one that reflects the increasing global opposition to depleted uranium.

Research by CADU has shown that the MoD has a long history of spinning DU issues to distract attention from their intrinsic public unacceptability. The absurd suggestion that depleted uranium rounds are ‘placed’ and not dumped in the Solway, made in order to sidestep a ban on toxic waste dumping at sea, highlights the lengths they will go to. We call upon the MoD to state clearly and unequivocally that they will never test-fire in Scotland again.’

Katy Clark MP said “It has been difficult to get a straight answer from them,” she said.

“It looks like they have been shifting their position as more questions are asked. It is important there is scrutiny of the government and that they are honest with the public about what is being done in our name particularly given the potential health concerns.”

CADU campaigners plan to hold a public meeting in Dumfries at the end of May to discuss further plans with local residents. More details will be released on their website www.cadu.org.uk       http://occupynewsnetwork.co.uk/ministry-of-defence-back-down-over-test-firing-of-depleted-uranium-munitions-in-scotland/

May 1, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | depleted uranium, UK