UK informed the EU about the possibility of returning nuclear waste after Brexit. It is reported by the Financial Times (FT).
Available publications was a document representing London’s position on the issue of nuclear regulation in talks on the country’s withdrawal from the EU (Brexit). It provides for the right of the Kingdom to return radioactive materials to the country of origin.
“It can be a reminder that the ship plutonium may be in the harbour of Antwerp, unless there is an agreement,” said one of the experts in the nuclear field.
UK imported spent nuclear fuel from the rest of Europe since the 1970-ies for processing at the plant in Sellafield (Cumbria). Now here is 126 tonnes, one fifth of which were imported from Germany, Sweden, Italy and other EU countries.
FT reminds that the problem of nuclear regulation has become one of the most acute in the early stages of negotiating the British exit from the EU. Last spring, the Kingdom announced its withdrawal from Euratom — the structure defines the use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes in Europe. While leading representatives of the British nuclear industry insist on finding the option of maintaining membership in Euratom. If this is not possible, they offer to negotiate an extended transition agreement to create a new system of regulation.