Plutonium and Security discusses the cases for and against the reprocessing of spent reactor fuel elements to remove the plutonium from them. The relationship between the capability to produce plutonium and the proliferation of nuclear weapons to countries that do not already have them is discussed in some detail. America's policy for the civil use of plutonium, and the policy to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons are also described. European and Japanese plans in the 1990s for plutonium are analyzed as are current nuclear programmes in Third World countries. The problems that will be faced by the 1995 conference to discuss whether or not to extend the Non-Proliferation Treaty are outlined and the prospects for the conference analyzed. A global programme for controlling fissile material is discussed in detail.