U.K. Threatens to Send Nuclear Waste Back to Europe

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The U.K. is threatening to return nuclear waste to Europe unless it gets a better deal regarding nuclear cooperation after it leaves the European Union (EU).

In a paper published by the government regarding its ongoing Brexit negotiations with the EU, it stated that it has the right "to return radioactive waste...to its country of origin." The U.K. has been importing spent nuclear fuel from a number of European nations, including Germany and Sweden among others, since the 1970s. This has been stored at Sellafield nuclear fuel reprocessing and nuclear decommissioning site in Cumbria. For a decade, the operation separated the uranium, plutonium, and fission products from spent nuclear fuel for reuse in creating new nuclear fuel. The reprocessing plant was shut in 2011, leaving the U.K. with 126 tonnes of civil plutonium, the world's largest stockpile. For additional information, see August 11, 2011, article - England's Sellafield MOX Nuclear Fuel Plant to Close.

The notion of returning nuclear waste is widely regarded as a bargaining tool for the U.K. in its difficult Brexit negotiations, a key part of which is its decision to leave the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Euratom has overseen the development of civilian nuclear power and safety procedures in the EU since the late 1950s. The U.K., despite planning to leave the Euratom treaty, wants to negotiate a special cooperation status.

"It might just be a reminder that a boatload of plutonium could end up at a harbour in Antwerp unless an arrangement is made," a nuclear expert who has advised the government told the Financial Times. The government's plans to exit Euratom have been criticised by the country's Nuclear Industry Association (NIA).

"It remains the U.K. nuclear industry's view that retaining Euratom membership will best serve the national interest," explained Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the U.K.'s Nuclear Industry Association. "It may also be the most straightforward, seamless and sensible way to achieve the government's stated preferred outcome is through the associated membership the Euratom treaty enables. Exploring that should be a priority in discussions with European institutions.

He added: "The [European] Commission makes it clear that the U.K. will not be part of Euratom "on the date of withdrawal" from the EU. The clock is ticking and there is still time for the government to review their exiting Euratom position and explore the alternative options available, including associate membership or at the very least a transitional period to avoid the cliff edge scenario both the government and industry want to avoid."

The government has also been warned by numerous expert groups and industry organisations that Brexit will negatively impact the construction of its first new nuclear power in 25 years. Industrial Info reported earlier this month that the Hinkley Point C nuclear project is now running more than a year behind schedule and will cost an extra £1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) to construct. For additional information, see July 7, 2017, article - U.K. Nuclear Project Hits Delays, Costs Rise by $1.9 Billion.

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