This paper identifies the evolution of pro- and anti-nuclear advocacy coalitions to their incorporation of the shipments issue in the late 1980's. The pro-nuclear waste transport advocacy coalition has come to include developed nuclear powers, such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, the former Soviet Union, pro-nuclear scientific experts and business entities. In contrast, the anti-nuclear nuclear waste transport advocacy coalition originated with a narrow band of support in Denmark and the Community's growing Green parties to include most European nations, the EU Commission, the EU Council, the media, and a number of technical and scientific experts. The paper concludes that, prior to 1992, the European Commission played the major role in setting the agenda for nuclear and radioactive waste policy. However, the Council, with support from pro-nuclear business entities and developed countries managed to exclude nuclear issues from the agenda of EU environmental policy including the Basel Convention, various directives an even within OECD discussions. Following several public nuclear and radioactive waste incidents and the 1992 Rio Conference, the anti nuclear waste transport advocacy coalition gained considerable strength and finally received legislative attention from the European Council
