The government struck the town of Scanzano Jonico -- the proposed site for the dump -- from a November 13 decree authorising the construction of a single nuclear waste storage site.

It ordered a scientific committee to come up with a new site within 18 months.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators in the Basilicata region, which depends on agriculture and tourism as its livelihood, had regularly protested the government's plans.

The Italian government has since January sought to consolidate its nuclear waste storage facilities in order to better protect against a possible terrorist attack.

Almost 55,000 cubic metres of highly radioactive nuclear waste and nearly 300 tonnes of spent fuel are currently stored at 19 sites throughout Italy.

WAR.WIRE