Save European innovation!
20.03.13
Let me be clear – I am not against cuts as such as long as they are adapted to the situation at hand. The cuts proposed by the Council are being done for the sake of cutting. Why do I think that it is not a win for the EU? Because you will not nurture EU growth and viability by continually spending over a third of the budget on agriculture, while cutting research, innovation and the digital economy – essential areas of investment if the EU is to keep its competitive edge.
Why, in the 21st century, are we cutting things such as broadband? This should be a given for every EU citizen. How can we compete with economies like China’s or India’s, where 15 to 20% of the budget goes to innovation and the digital economy?
So what is at stake for our industry? The core issues are the cuts to the Horizon 2020 budget, from the €80 billion proposed by the European Commission to €69.24 billion. Horizon 2020 encompasses several Public Private Partnerships that we believe are extremely important for patients throughout the EU, such as the Innovative Medicines Initiative. We have already seen the successes such PPPs can deliver when supported by a framework that considers needs of both the public and the private partner. The last week and months have also seen several projects seeking to revitalise antibiotic development – an area requiring serious attention, as recent media reports on the growing threat of antibiotic resistance have shown. We see a real need to further foster these projects, which are still in their infancy and could be further strengthened.
As I have already stated – numerous times – I do not believe that now is the time to start cutting in sectors that are essential to Europe’s long-term growth and the health of its patients. Biomedical research by its nature has a longer innovation timeframe. With an ageing population and major healthcare challenges ahead, health research should be given a high priority.
The final decision on where the cuts will be is yet to come: We will keep pushing to ensure that these invaluable projects keep getting the funding they need and deserve. I understand why MEPs are not happy with the proposal; it is not in the interest of EU citizens but to the political interests of certain leaders.
