Brexit: EU must end ‘persistent delay’ in allowing UK access to scientific research programmes, government says | Political news
The EU must end the “persistent delay” in the UK’s access to its scientific research programs after Brexit, the government has demanded as it launches legal action.
It said the delay had prevented the UK from accessing Horizon Europe, the EU’s main funding scheme for research and innovation, and Copernicus, the earth observation program that provides data on climate change.
Other plans that have been affected include the Euratom nuclear research program and space tracking and surveillance accessibility.
Foreign Minister Liz Truss, who also leads the Tory leadership, said European Union “Clearly in violation of our agreement, it repeatedly seeks to politicize important scientific collaboration by denying complete access to these important programs.”
She added: “We cannot allow this to continue. That is why the UK has now conducted formal consultations and will do everything necessary to protect the scientific community. “
Euratom nuclear research program has been affected
Ministers have written to the European Commission to launch dispute settlement procedures after the UK negotiated access to a range of EU science and innovation programmes, as part of the deal. post-Brexit trade with the EU in 2020.
But the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said more than 18 months had passed and the EU “still refuses to perfect the UK’s access” which it says “causes serious damage”. important for research and development in both the UK and EU member states”.
Labor accused the Tories of “initiating a row with the EU to appeal their Tory grounds” as Ms Truss confronted Rishi Sunak to replace Boris Johnson.
Ms. Truss said: “The EU is clearly in breach of our agreement, constantly seeking to politicize important scientific cooperation by denying complete access to these important programmes. We cannot allow that. allow this to continue.
“That’s why the UK has now launched formal consultations and will do everything necessary to protect the scientific community.”
Earlier this month, a group of cross-party colleagues on the House Science and Technology Committee concluded in a report that the government’s international science policy is “somewhat incoherent”.
It warned: “Association with Horizon Europe has not been secured, which risks damaging the UK’s reputation further and jeopardizing the quality of its scientific basis.”
European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferrie said: “The Commission takes note of the UK’s request for consultations and will monitor the matter in accordance with applicable rules, as set out in the Trade Agreement and Co-operate.”
Labour’s shadow foreign minister, David Lammy, said: “Both the EU and UK need to show more flexibility, but the Conservatives’ reckless and illegal approach to the protocol is helping to prevent prevent the UK from becoming a member of Europe’s £80 billion Horizon programme, which funds critical scientific research and innovation.
“Instead of continuing the pattern that started with the EU to call their Tory base, the next prime minister should sit down with all parties to ease tensions and find a consensus in the national interest.”
Earlier this year, the EU launched legal action against the UK for not complying with the Northern Ireland Protocol when the government introduced legislation threatening to change the post-Brexit deal.
