3. Conclusion

This presentation shows that the "back end of the fuel cycle" issue is a complex mix of elements inherited from the history of individual countries, but also from other factors such as different (and sometimes sophisticated) technological and industrial developments. These factors are compounded by evolving economic considerations, which are often difficult to quantify precisely, and by social and environmental concerns, which can be very strong. Finally, we must add to this set of factors geopolitical constraints linked to the issue of plutonium contained in spent fuel (CU) and specifically national constraints linked to the management of radioactive waste. In this respect, the two main options for dealing with spent fuel offer radically different solutions.

In the case of interim spent fuel storage followed by direct final disposal, plutonium is considered to...