NIA response to Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit speech
Commenting on Jeremy Corbyn’s statement that the Labour Party would seek to remain a member of Euratom, Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said:
“The UK’s civil nuclear sector has consistently stated that remaining a member of Euratom after the UK leaves the European Union is its preferred option, offering continuity and predictability in an otherwise uncertain environment for the UK.
“The government’s position to replicate the current Euratom arrangements has already proved to be both a time-consuming and uncertain process, and it has only just begun.
“As yet, no new Nuclear Cooperation Agreements (NCAs) have been signed, discussions for a new trading arrangement with the EU have not begun, an agreement on continued involvement in nuclear R&D has not yet been reached and without a transitional period and continued relationship with Euratom, a new safeguarding inspections regime will need to both be agreed and capable of implementation by March 2019 – something the Office of Nuclear Regulation has stated it would not be able to deliver.
“The eventual outcome will be dependent upon negotiation and agreement with the European Commission, but seeking to retain the benefits of membership of Euratom and avoid the confusion and uncertainty of a lack of a close association with Euratom, is sensible, pragmatic and in the interests of both the UK and continuing EU.”
