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Intergroup

Official Intergroup related publications.

Inclusion of Nuclear Energy in the EU’s Taxonomy of Sustainable Finance

Dear Mr Dombrovskis, Ms Simson and Ms Mc Guinness,

As Members of the European Parliament, we have been following closely the ongoing work on the EU’s Taxonomy of Sustainable Finance. We have taken note of the decision of 20th October to delay the proposal on how to classify nuclear power under said Taxonomy.

Considering that the Council’s position for COP26 of 6th October stressed the extreme urgency to step up the global response to the climate emergency, and that the current soaring energy prices threaten the European post-pandemic recovery, we are writing to you to express our full support to the inclusion of Nuclear Energy in the EU’s Taxonomy of Sustainable Finance.

Above all, because nuclear will help the EU achieve its decarbonisation targets. In fact, nuclear is a low-carbon source of energy, thus enabling a decarbonised electricity grid. In addition, nuclear can support decarbonised heat and hydrogen production, which can be used as an energy source for hard-to-decarbonise sectors.

Secondly, nuclear will enable an affordable transition. The latest IEA and OECD NEA report entitled ‘Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020’ confirms that the long-term operation of nuclear power plants remains the cheapest source of electricity. Furthermore, nuclear is much less vulnerable to price fluctuations, a key point at a time when energy prices are escalating.

In addition to this, nuclear will ensure security of supply. Nuclear power plants are available virtually 24/7. They provide flexible electricity, and they are therefore capable of filling the gap caused by non-dispatchable renewable energies such as solar or wind power.

Finally yet importantly, nuclear is an affordable source of energy. Consequently, it can reduce the risk of energy poverty and provide industries with affordable low-carbon energy, encouraging them to remain in Europe and ensuring jobs and economic growth. In addition, with the majority of global population yet to reach the quality of life we enjoy in the EU, nuclear is a sustainable way to meet the expected substantial increase in energy demand.

Currently, nuclear energy provides about 40% of the EU’s low carbon electricity. No other energy source has played a greater role in driving down historic EU CO2 emissions.

We trust that you will do everything in your power to ensure that the decision on the inclusion of nuclear energy in the EU’s Taxonomy on Sustainable Finance will be taken solely on the grounds of science, not of ideology or fear.

Sincerely,


Gianna GANCIA, MEP from Italy
Anna BONFRISCO, MEP from Italy
Marco CAMPOMENOSI, MEP from Italy
Gianantonio DA RE MEP from Italy
Antonio RINALDI, MEP from Italy
Silvia Serafina SARDONE, MEP from Italy
Stefania ZAMBELLI, MEP from Italy
Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA, MEP from Spain
Hermann TERTSCH, MEP from Spain
András GYÜRK, MEP from Hungary
Edina TÓTH, MEP from Hungary
Traian BĂSESCU, MEP from Romania
Franc BOGOVIČ, MEP from Slovenia
Søren GADE, MEP from Denmark
Gilles LEBRETON, MEP from France
Sylvia LIMMER, MEP from Germany
Ivan ŠTEFANEC, MEP from Slovakia
Andrey SLABAKOV, MEP from Bulgaria
Jessica STEGRUD, MEP from Sweden

Open Letter on a European Pharmaceutical Strategy

Dear Commissioner Vestager,
Dear Commissioner Gabriel,
Dear Commissioner Kyriakides

Thanks to the very robust Intellectual Property (IP) framework the European Union is equipped  with, we have been able to develop the first effective COVID-19 vaccine in a European  country, namely Germany, through the work of a European-based company backed by  European venture capitalists. The response of many innovative pharmaceutical and biotech  companies has shown their importance for humanity, as they provide swift reactions to new  threats such as the current pandemic.  

The next pandemic might just be around the corner. Given how many people have suffered and  even lost their lives due to COVID-19, and the immense economic toll it already has on  Europeans, we need to do everything we can to foster and not stifle innovation in Europe. 

This can be achieved by embracing innovation and allow risk-seeking investors such as venture  capitalists and companies to benefit from their investments. To this respect, intellectual  property rights play an important factor. 

The COVID-19 crisis has worsened public and personal finances, reducing people’s accessibility to medicines. If we want to increase access to drugs in all parts of Europe by  maintaining our high innovation incentives, we need to focus on creating more prosperity:  economic growth is the key driver for allowing more people across the globe to access the  cures they need. Loud rhetoric aimed at eroding patent rights is a dangerous saber rattling that  might reduce our ability to innovate in the future and find cures for 95% of those known  diseases we cannot cure yet. 

We need to acknowledge that there are wealth disparities among EU Member States and we  cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to access to medicines. The EU  Commission should focus on maintaining our excellent IP standards and refrain from

intervening in the national rules for pricing and reimbursement decisions. Europe is home to  half of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies. We should not jeopardize this position. 

Kind regards,

Gianna GANCIA MEP
Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO MEP
Salvatore DE MEO MEP
Pernille WEISS MEP
Lucia VUOLO MEP
Matteo ADINOLFI MEP
Massimiliano SALINI MEP
Pietro FIOCCHI MEP
Franc BOGOVIČ MEP
Gianantonio DA RE MEP
Margarita DE LA PISA CARRIÓN MEP
Marzaly AGUILAR, MEP
Stefania ZAMBELLI, MEP
Radan KANEV, MEP
Svenja HAHN, MEP
Hermann TERTSCH, MEP
Klemen GROSELJ, MEP
Carlo CALENDA, MEP
Ivan STEFANEC, MEP
Carlo FIDANZA, MEP
Lukas MANDL, MEP
Dominique BILDE, MEP
Elena LIZZI, MEP
Anna-Michelle ASSIMAKOPOULOU, MEP
Simona BALDASSARRE, MEP
Valentino GRANT, MEP
Nicola PROCACCINI, MEP
Sergio BERLATO, MEP
Isabel BENJUMEA, MEP
Pavel SVOBODA, MEP
Fred ROEDER, Consumer Choice Center


Open Letter to the Members of the Board of the WTO

To the attention of Mr. Tim Yeend,
Chef de Cabinet and Principle Advisor to Director-General
World Trade Organization

Bruxelles, 16 September 2020


Subject: On the risk of TRIPS to create regulatory barriers to medical innovation

Dear Mr. Tim Yeend,

In light of the “vaccine nationalism” and buy-outs of the broad-spectrum antiviral medication “Remdesivir”, much of the emphasis on intellectual property issues revolved around coronavirus has focused on immunizations and medicines, and we couldn’t stand aside from
this timely discussion.

Earlier this month, South Africa issued a communication titled “Beyond Access to Medicines and Medical Technologies Towards a More Holistic Approach to TRIPS Flexibilities.” It was pointed out that the COVID-19 response required looking beyond patents towards a more “integrated approach to TRIPS flexibilities that include other various types of intellectual property (IP) rights including copyrights, industrial designs and trade secrets” (IP/C/W/666).

“TRIPS flexibilities” that are usually used to refer to exceptions allowing countries to override global IP rules for public health reason have been used mainly in regard to patents. However, as the communication argues, the scope of the flexibilities should also be extended
to other various types of intellectual property (IP) rights including copyrights, industrial designs and trade secrets. As such, the recommendations submitted by South Africa are cross-field as they also touch upon the production and distribution of essential medical devices such as masks, ventilators, and personal protective equipment.

The risk of TRIPS is to create regulatory barriers that go well behind the pharmaceutical industries. Some examples of innovations that are supposed to be shared but face regulatory barriers go beyond pharmaceuticals to AI algorithms for apps and 3D-printed ventilator valves.

As a quick reminder, this can include so-called compulsory licensing when a government authorizes a manufacturer to copy another’s patented medicine. There are other grey areas still to be addressed over compulsory licensing as well as there are many ways to make easier access to vaccines: for example, a mutual recognition of FDA and EMA and other agencies and fast-tracking procedures for some type of medicines.

During tough times, decision-makers are requested to restore certainty to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, this crisis compels us to be one step ahead and anticipate issues.

Looking forward to your swift reaction,
Gianna GANCIA MEP
Anna BONFRISCO MEP
Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO MEP
Massimiliano SALINI MEP
Matteo ADINOLFI MEP
Salvatore DE MEO MEP
Antonio Tajani MEP
Hermann Tertsch MEP
Marlazy Aguilar MEP
Ivan Stefanec MEP
Stefania Zambelli MEP
Fred Roeder, managing director of the Consumer Choice Center

Licensing laws in the public health sector

On June 17th 2020, the Innovation, Brands and Intellectual Property Intergroup sent an open letter Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan about the COVID-19 crisis and the risk of Licensing Laws to the production and supply of essential goods to the population.

Under licensing laws, a government has the power to revoke patent rights from innovators or companies if a discovery they made would provide vital treatment or protection related to a national health emergency. Under these laws, another organization can also reproduce and distribute the product without prior consent from the patent-holder. If the patent owner does not comply, they may face heavy fines from the government.

“If European and third-countries’ companies are prevented from retaining their patent licenses, this could hinder furtherly the production and supply of essential goods to the population.”

“A compulsory licensing bill could place even more barriers for pharmaceutical groups trying to make a profit, which could further discourage these kinds of companies from registering in any EU Member State.”

Compulsory licensing is threatening to move the goalposts on how intellectual property rights are protected; it should only be used in a state of national emergency. However, the interpretation of the notion of “health emergency” can be fuzzy.

“There are other grey areas still to be addressed over compulsory licensing as well as there are many ways to make easier access to vaccines: for example, a mutual recognition of FDA and EMA and fast-tracking procedures for some type of medicines. During tough times, decision-makers are requested to restore certainty to the greatest extent possible. Moreover, this crisis compels us to be one step ahead and anticipate issues.”

The letter was signed by:

Gianna GANCIA MEP
Fulvio MARTUSCIELLO MEP
Lucia VUOLO MEP
Massimiliano SALINI MEP
Patrizia POIA MEP
Ivan STEFANEC MEP
Anna- Michelle ASSIMAKOPOULOU MEP
Lukas MANDL MEP
Radan KANEV MEP
Fred ROEDER, Managing Director Consumer Choice Center

FULL LETTER CAN BE SEEN BELOW:


World Intellectual Property Day 2020

On Sunday, April 26th 2020 the world celebrates the Intellectual Property Day.

On the occasion, the Innovation, Brands and Intellectual Property – The Future of Europe Intergroup led by MEP Gianna Gancia sent a letter to Ms Margrethe Vestager Executive Vice-President and Ms Mariya Gabriel Commissioner for Innovation and Research European Commission stressing the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights.

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