NIA welcomes Greg Clark’s Written Ministerial Statement on Euratom
The NIA has welcomed the government’s statement on Euratom and its commitment to update Parliament every three months as well as clarity on its intention to negotiate an implementation period to ensure a smooth transition from the current to new arrangements.
Commenting Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:
“The Secretary of State’s statement on Euratom is a useful and welcome step in setting out the government’s approach in seeking to secure equivalent arrangements to those we benefit from as a member of Euratom.
“The UK industry and research facilities have been consistently clear with government about the importance of these issues since the referendum, and given the complex nature of multilateral agreements that will need to be negotiated, the recognition of the necessity of transitional arrangements and the desire for a close future association with Euratom is welcome.
“Even with a suitable transition, there remains much work for the government to do to prevent the significant disruption that industry is concerned about.
“There is much still to do in equipping the UK’s regulator to take on Euratom’s safeguarding activities; agreeing a voluntary offer with the IAEA; negotiating and ratifying new bilateral Nuclear Co-operation Agreements with the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan and others; agreeing new trading arrangements with the Euratom community and concluding a new funding agreement for the UK to continue its world-leading work in Euratom’s fusion R&D activities. It is vital government continues to prioritise these issues in the period ahead if there is to be a successful outcome.”
