Theresa May has been warned that her government needs to work with the UK nuclear industry to avoid it plunging off a Brexit “cliff edge”.
When the Prime Minister triggered article 50 to leave the European Union it also set off a chain of events that would see the country’s atomic industry leave the protection of the pan-European Euratom regulatory body.
In a new paper, Exiting Euratom, the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) claims the government needs to work closely with industry in order to bring about replacement arrangements for Euratom in a timely manner.
The paper, prepared by the NIA following detailed consultation and discussion with its members, sets out the priority areas for negotiations with the European Commission as the UK ceases to be a member of the community.
The paper also sets out the steps the UK Government need to take to avoid serious disruption to normal nuclear business in the UK and across the European Union.
According to the paper, the key steps for government include:
• Agreeing a replacement Voluntary Offer Agreement with the IAEA for a new UK safeguards regime
• Replacing the Nuclear Co-operation Agreements (NCA) with key nuclear markets; the Euratom Community, United States, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan and South Korea
• Clarifying the validation of the UK’s current bilateral Nuclear Co-operation Agreements with Japan and other nuclear states
• Setting out the process for the movement of nuclear material, goods, people and services
• Agreeing a new funding arrangement for the UK’s involvement in Fusion 4 Energy and wider European Union nuclear R&D programme
• Maintaining confidence in the industry and securing crucial investment
Addressing these priority areas will enable the nuclear sector to continue its work with other countries, both within and outside the continuing EU, as the UK ceases to be a member of the EU, the NIA claims.
However, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said that given the 22 months dealine, there is a risk that new arrangements will not be in place.
He said: “The UK civil nuclear industry is ready and willing to work with the government as it begins the process of putting replacement arrangements for Euratom in place. The clock is ticking, and this is a priority of increasing urgency.
“This new report demonstrates that without new arrangements in place by the time the UK leaves the Euratom community, there is scope for real and considerable disruption.
“Government Ministers have stated their desire to both work with industry and to ensure the same high standards will continue to apply as the UK leaves the EU – there is no disagreement on that principle.
“The Government now need to get down to the work of putting such arrangements in place, including a prudent approach to ensuring there are transitional arrangements in place, to avoid a gap in regulation. That would not be in the interests of the EU, the UK or the industry globally.”
The NIA has called for a joint industry and government working group to be created to help develop a plan to preserve the essential benefits of Euratom membership.
This was also a key recommendation by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee in its report published earlier this week.
The UK government has been contacted for comment.
