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Brexit: Government sets out post-EU nuclear proposals Brexit: UK targets 'close nuclear co-operation'
(about 2 hours later)
The UK government has said it wants a new nuclear safeguards regime as it prepares to leave EU regulator Euratom. The UK government says it will push ahead with leaving the European nuclear industry watchdog - despite calls for a change of direction.
A position paper published ahead of further Brexit talks says the UK could take ownership of fissile material and Euratom equipment after the UK left. Ministers said the UK had to quit Euratom as part of Brexit because it is "uniquely legally joined" with the EU.
The decision to leave Euratom has caused concern in the nuclear industry and among MPs. They said there was a "strong mutual interest" for close co-operation once the UK has left the EU.
But the government paper argues the UK and EU have a "strong mutual interest" in continuing nuclear co-operation. There have been warnings from some MPs and medical bodies about the impact of leaving the organisation.
The paper on nuclear materials and safeguards issues is one of three "position papers" that will be presented to the European Commission for discussion in the second round of formal exit negotiations in Brussels next week. Former Conservative business minister Anna Soubry criticised the decision to spend time and money "trying to reinvent something which works well".
Its publication comes after MPs called on the government to publish legal advice regarding its decision to leave the European nuclear regulator. The Royal College of Radiologists said anything hitting the supply and transport of radioactive isotopes widely used in scans and other treatment could cause delays for patients.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, a number of MPs from all parties urged the government to reconsider its position and remain either a full or associate member of the organisation, which was created at the same time as the European Economic Community in 1957 but via a separate treaty. Its fears were dismissed as "not correct" by Brexit Minister Steve Baker.
But the government paper says the European Commission has advised that Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which the UK triggered to begin the process of leaving the EU, also applies to membership of Euratom. In a newly-published position paper ahead of further Brexit talks next week, the government said it wanted a "smooth transition" to its new nuclear safeguards regime, with "no interruption in safeguards arrangements".
'Smooth transition' "The UK's ambition is to maintain a close and effective relationship with the Euratom Community and the rest of the world that harnesses the UK's and the Euratom Community's expertise and maximises shared interests," it said.
The paper says the government wants to ensure "a smooth transition to a UK nuclear safeguards regime with no interruption in safeguards arrangements" and continue to collaborate on research and development.
It also proposes "minimising barriers to civil nuclear trade for industry in the UK, Euratom and third countries" and "ensuring mobility of skilled nuclear workers and researchers".It also proposes "minimising barriers to civil nuclear trade for industry in the UK, Euratom and third countries" and "ensuring mobility of skilled nuclear workers and researchers".
As part of ensuring that the UK has the necessary equipment to meet its nuclear safeguarding obligations to the International Atomic Energy Authority, the paper says, "further consideration will be given to the possibility of the UK taking ownership of existing Euratom-owned equipment".As part of ensuring that the UK has the necessary equipment to meet its nuclear safeguarding obligations to the International Atomic Energy Authority, the paper says, "further consideration will be given to the possibility of the UK taking ownership of existing Euratom-owned equipment".
It also proposes ending the Euratom Community's ownership of fissile material on UK territory. It also proposes ending the Euratom Community's ownership of nuclear material on UK territory.
But existing contracts for the supply of nuclear materials between the UK and Euratom should remain valid, it says.But existing contracts for the supply of nuclear materials between the UK and Euratom should remain valid, it says.
The decision to leave Euratom has caused unease in the nuclear industry amid fears it could affect safety, transportation of materials and access to cutting-edge research. Euratom was created at the same time as the European Economic Community in 1957 but via a separate treaty.
The medical profession has also expressed concern about the effect on treatments, including for cancer, if there is reduced access to the radioisotopes used. The government paper says the European Commission has advised that Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, which the UK triggered to begin the process of leaving the EU, also applies to membership of Euratom.
But speaking on BBC Radio 4's The World at One, Ms Soubry said: "Spending all this time, energy and, I have to say, your listeners' hard-earned taxpayers' money on trying to reinvent something that works well, which nobody even vaguely sensible has a problem with us remaining in, is not great.
"And I would beg the prime minister, please... in the spirit of trying to build bridges and creating a sensible Brexit, could we all please put the national interest first?"
'Further dialogue''Further dialogue'
The decision to leave Euratom has also caused unease in the nuclear industry amid fears it could affect safety, transportation of materials and access to cutting-edge research.
Dr Nicola Strickland, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: "As a medical royal college, our primary goal is to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of medical services to patients who need scans and non-surgical cancer treatment.Dr Nicola Strickland, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, said: "As a medical royal college, our primary goal is to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of medical services to patients who need scans and non-surgical cancer treatment.
"This is why we are calling for further clarity and dialogue on the future supply of radioisotopes."This is why we are calling for further clarity and dialogue on the future supply of radioisotopes.
"The government has promised a statement on the matter."The government has promised a statement on the matter.
"We hope that will be issued very soon and give the assurance that patients and doctors need.""We hope that will be issued very soon and give the assurance that patients and doctors need."
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, First Secretary of State Damian Green said Euratom did not license the import and export of medical radioisotopes, or dictate that Euratom members placed restrictions on sale to non-Euratom members.Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, First Secretary of State Damian Green said Euratom did not license the import and export of medical radioisotopes, or dictate that Euratom members placed restrictions on sale to non-Euratom members.
The government position paper does not refer directly to the supply of radioisotopes.The government position paper does not refer directly to the supply of radioisotopes.
The BBC's Chris Morris said EU lawyers had been very clear that the UK would have to leave Euratom when leaving the EU, the alternative being some kind of bilateral agreement that would have to be negotiated and would involve the European Court of Justice.
The Department for Exiting the European Union has published two other papers, covering cases still before the European Court of Justice and other EU institutions when the UK leaves the EU, and legal privileges and immunities.The Department for Exiting the European Union has published two other papers, covering cases still before the European Court of Justice and other EU institutions when the UK leaves the EU, and legal privileges and immunities.