ACTA ratification under threat in EU
European Parliament opposes treaty over generic drugs concerns
The ratification of the multilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is under threat at the European Parliament, with the MEP coordinating the institution’s stance opposing the treaty over generic drugs concerns.
The UK’s Labour MEP David Martin highlighted fears about customs officers ‘seizing any item they consider to be an infringement of copyright law, whether that be electronic data or generic medicine’.
He later concluded: ‘I think the hopes of ACTA are outweighed by the fears; my recommendation is that we reject ACTA.’ His Labour colleagues are generally opposed and liberal MEPs are also critical of the treaty.
The European Parliament can decide whether the EU ratifies ACTA, or not.