BREXATOM: European Union’s nuclear trade body wants quick deal with UK after Brexit

Foratom, the Brussels-based trade association for the nuclear energy industry in Europe, has said the agreement between the UK and the EU should be similar to the agreement between the EU and the US and Japan.

The trade body has said that it wants to maintain close links with the British nuclear industry following its departure from the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) after Brexit. 

Berta Picamal, a member of Foratom’s executive office, said: “It is in our interests to put in a regime as soon as possible that is as close as possible to the one we have.

“We are now analysing nuclear cooperation agreements that we have with third countries to which extent we can replicate what we have with the US or Japan with the UK.

“We do not foresee this not being solved, it’s not an option. Theresa May said she would cooperate on continued research and development projects. It’s key.”

The chief executive of the British Nuclear Industry Association (NIA), Tom Greatrex, said: “The current Euratom treaty allows third country agreements, or associated status to Euratom programmes.

“That would effectively enable the UK to be part of the Euratom framework as now, subject to negotiation and agreement.

“That is different from saying the UK would leave the EU but not Euratom.” 

Euratom regulates the nuclear industry across Europe by safeguarding the transport of nuclear materials, disposing of waste and carrying out research.

Both the NIA and Foratom have said that a transition period is essential in order to prevent disruption to businesses on both sides. 

The UK’s nuclear industry has voiced its concern about Brexatom.

The industry fears that project like the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant, which is currently being built by EDF Energy, would be stopped without a plan if the UK were to leave the Euratom Community in March 2019. 

The UK joined Erratum when it joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973. 

When EU countries transport nuclear materials between countries, Euratom sets the rules. 

Brexit Secretary David Davis said: “The triggering of Article 50 on Euratom is not because we have a fundamental critique of the way that it works. It was because it was a concomitant decision that was required in triggering Article 50.”