EU parliamentarians back India-South Africa proposal for COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver

European Union Parliamentarians have strongly backed India and South Africa's joint proposal at the World Trade Organization for a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID vaccine patents in a letter to EU leadership. The letter by 14 EU MEPs or members of the European Parliamentarians have called for a moratorium on the suspension of covid-19 vaccine patents.

Image used for representational purpose

New Delhi: European Union Parliamentarians have strongly backed India and South Africa's joint proposal at the World Trade Organization for a waiver on intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccine patents.

As many as 14 members of European Parliamentarians in a letter to EU leadership have called for a moratorium on the suspension of COVID-19 vaccine patents.

The two-page letter on COVID-19 vaccine highlights: "South Africa and India sent a joint proposal to the World Trade Organization requesting an exemption from patents and other intellectual property rights concerning drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, personal protective equipment, and other medical technologies throughout the pandemic and this proposal is still pending."

The letter seen by WION has asked European Union to support India and South Africa's proposal at the WTO as it aims to guarantee widespread and equitable access to vaccines on a global scale.

The WTO had met in December 2020 to take up the proposal for waiver of intellectual property (IP) over COVID-19 vaccines but failed to arrive at the decision over stiff opposition from United States, European Union and others. The proposal for waiver on IP rights for covid vaccines means affordable access to everyone even as countries try to vaccinate their population.

The letter by the EU parlimentarians has been sent to President of the European Council Charles Michel, President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen, EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Honorable Stella Kyriakides.

The MEPs who have sent the letter are — Andrea Cozzolino, Maria Arena, Eva Kaili, Alex Agius Saliba, Bogusław Liberadzki, Tiemo Woelken, Milan Brglez, Patrizia Toia, Irene Tinagli, Pierfrancesco Majorino, Pina Picierno, Giuliano Pisapia, Massimiliano Smeriglio, Franco Roberti.