[en] The Annual Meeting of the Commission was combined with a meeting of the RAD sub-group which addresses radioactive substances. Key items on the agendas of both meetings were: (i) The NEA study on the radiological comparison of options for spent fuel management - reprocessing/recycle versus dry store. (ii) The forward implementation of the radioactive substances strategy. (iii) The Irish and Danish proposed a resolution/decision on the cessation of reprocessing. The NEA study (Radiological impacts of spent nuclear fuel management options - a comparative study) was accepted by all parties as the best and most authoritative study possible, and it received wide support. Those parties in favour of reprocessing emphasised that on a global basis it showed distinctly that there were no significant radiological differences between recycle and dry store (doses from radon released during uranium mining offset doses from reprocessing discharges), and that the overall radiological impacts are low. As the report itself said, a decision on which is the most appropriate option will depend on a range of other factors including costs, energy security, etc. Those against reprocessing noted that it confirmed once again that reprocessing gave much higher discharges to sea than the dry store option. After considerable discussion, the Irish and Danish draft resolutions were significantly amended by a twin-track approach. Track One was a programme for the more detailed implementation of the OSPAR strategy, which received unanimous support. This involves submitting national plans and baselines, etc, building up to the ministerial meeting in 2003. Track Two contained the residual anti-reprocessing motion, although without any reference to cessation of (or moratorium on) reprocessing, and requiring the authorities for reprocessing sites to review the discharge authorisations with a view to implementing a non-reprocessing option. This received support from all countries except the UK and France, who both abstained from the vote on the grounds that the decision went beyond the competence of OSPAR - i.e. it strayed into areas of national competence on advice to regulators, and it focused on processes, not discharges. The decision will not be binding on France or the UK. The Commission also agreed a progress report on implementing the OSPAR strategy for radioactive substances, which gives an overview of national progress to date and priority work for the future. Prioritising discharge reductions on the basis of dose is one of the points which is emphasised. New terms of reference for the RAD sub-group were agreed. The group is now called the Radioactive Substances Committee. The next meeting was scheduled to be in Tromso, Norway, in January 2001. The next full meeting of the Commission is 25-29 June, 2001 (Spain). This will not be at ministerial level: the next ministerial meeting will be in 2003