Transport and availability of medical radio isotopes following Brexit

28.2.2018

Question for written answer E-001222-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Charles Tannock (ECR)

There is some confusion around the export arrangements of medical radio isotopes following Brexit with some medical professionals voicing concerns that the UK leaving Euratom will lead to price rises and slower cross-border transport.

However, the UK Government states that as radio isotopes are not special fissile nuclear material they are not subject to international nuclear safeguards and so their availability will be unaffected. As the majority of isotopes are imported to the UK from research centres in Europe and a constant fresh supply is needed as they cannot be stored this is a critical issue to take into account during Brexit negotiations.

Can the Commission confirm therefore whether or not it is expected that the import arrangements of radio isotopes to the UK will change following Britain’s departure from Euratom?

What is being done to ensure that, if the UK leaves the Customs Union, radio isotopes will still be able to pass through border checks swiftly, taking into account their short half-lives which lead to rapid decay?

Does Britain leaving Euratom, without a deal or with a Canada-like third country FTA agreement at best, pose significant risks to the availability of radio isotopes in the UK for medical purposes?