Compromise agreement on the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver

16.3.2022

Question for written answer  E-001092/2022/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Samira Rafaela (Renew)

Various media outlets reported on a breakthrough on a compromise regarding an intellectual property (IP) waiver to allow COVID‑19 vaccines to be produced in developing countries. The compromise between India, South Africa, the EU and the US is a very good and necessary development for expanding access to and the production of vaccines. However, the details of the compromise and its eventual adoption in the World Trade Organization (WTO) are key to moving forward with the IP waiver. Without broad support in the WTO, this compromise risks remaining an idea, instead of a solution.

• 1.Will the Commission provide Parliament, and notably its Committee on International Trade and vaccine contact group, with the details of the compromise as soon as possible?
• 2.What is the Commission’s analysis of the impact of the compromise on an IP waiver in relation to the goal of expanding production in developing countries, and what role will the Commission and the Member States have in expanding production as part of the Team Europe project?
• 3.Is the Commission of the opinion that it will reach an agreement with the other members of the WTO on the compromise reached on waiving IP rights under the WTO framework?