Chairperson, the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs was briefed by the Department of Minerals and Energy and considered the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.
The objective of the joint convention is to make sure that management and maintenance is achieved worldwide. It seeks to ensure that management of radioactive waste is effective and that there is defence against potential hazards. It encourages the prevention of accidents and the mitigation of their consequences, should they occur. It also reinforces the implementation of the basic safety criteria and standards currently used in the regulation of nuclear activities in South Africa, thus ensuring the continued protection of all South Africans as required by the Constitution.
The legal obligations of the convention are provided for in the Nuclear Act and through the National Nuclear Regulator, under the supervision of the Departments of Minerals and Energy, and Health. The two departments will be responsible for the implementation of all provisions of the incentive convention. If the House agrees to the accession, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will sign and South Africa will be party to the convention.
On behalf of the Select Committee on Economic and Foreign Affairs, I move that the House adopts the report. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.