UK Edition
Why we must save vital nuclear treaty with our allies in the EU
For 60 years, the UK has cooperated with its European allies in the area of nuclear power and research.
We have been a leading member of a treaty many people have not heard of: Euratom.
Though little known, it plays a vital part in many areas of our everyday life.
It means nuclear materials can be transported freely across EU borders, without which any expansion of nuclear power in the UK would not be possible.
It enables the UK to lead the world in research and development in this area – something symbolised by the Joint European Torus project in Culham, exploring the possibilities of nuclear fusion.
And perhaps most vitally, it means we can be sure that if the health service needs to access to the latest radiotherapy treatments for cancer patients, it can do so from overseas.
As part of the process to trigger article 50, the UK has announced its intention to quit Euratom at the same time as it leaves the EU, in March 2019.
This news, with all its profound implications, was announced out of the blue in the Article 50 Bill earlier this year.
This has caused concern among our EU allies – and those countries that have associate membership of Euratom, such as Switzerland and Ukraine.
The consequences for the UK are beginning to sink in.
The scientific community is rightly concerned, fearing a ‘brain drain’ of talented scientists from the UK to the EU after our exit.
Those working in cancer medicine who understand what this might mean for the treatment of the most vulnerable patients are seeking urgent assurances from the Government. And the exit from Euratom is casting uncertainty over the UK’s plans for nuclear power, not least at Hinkley Point.
We believe there is an opportunity for a rethink.
Both our parties are absolutely committed to implementing the result of the referendum on EU membership, even though we both campaigned to remain.
But this is not about EU membership. Our cooperation on nuclear issues predates the EU.
Whatever people were voting for last June, it certainly wasn’t to junk 60 years of cooperation in this area with our friends and allies.
The Government’s justification for this decision needs to be carefully scrutinised.
We are told that because the Euratom treaty shares some institutions with the EU, legally we must leave. But this is disputed by eminent lawyers who should know what they are talking about.
It appears the problem with continued membership comes down to the involvement of the European Court of Justice in its oversight.
There appears never to have been an ECJ case involving the UK and Euratom. But it does require us to continue to allow the free movement of nuclear scientists.
For this reason, it appears, the Government has determined the UK should leave. This makes no sense. The UK must remain a beacon for global talent after Brexit – indeed, that is the Government’s stated aim.
We do not believe that anyone who voted leave did so because they wanted to prevent atomic researchers and their families making their lives here and contributing to our economy and society.
It is not too late to change course. Though formal notice of our intention to exit Euratom was served by the Prime Minister at the same time as the Article 50 letter triggering Brexit talks, there are indications that a rethink would be welcomed with open arms by the Euratom member states.
Next week, Parliament will debate this issue for the first time.
We hope ministers are listening to the legitimate concerns that are being raised across parties, and will agree that the common sense thing to do is for the UK to remain in Euratom.