War of words over EU’s possible health plans

The EU has strongly hit back at claims that efforts to tackle cancer in Europe is “in jeopardy” due to possible budget cuts.

The claim was made by the European Cancer Organisation, a not-for-profit federation of 41 Member Societies working in cancer at a European level.

Its president Isabel Rubio said, “The progress we’ve achieved so far in research and innovation is directly related to EU cooperation and funding.”

But she cautions that possible cuts “risks undermining this progress.”

It says such concerns send a “concerning signal” to groups helping people with cancer.

 The Brussels-based organisation, which hosts a major cancer summit in the city on 18/19 November,  says that, each year, 2.7 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer, and 1.3 million lose their lives to it.

“Five years ago,” it says, “the EU responded by launching its Cancer Mission, and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. Since then, it has backed an array of pan-European projects with the power to reshape cancer care and control.”

“There are so many projects showing real progress but that progress is now in jeopardy. The funding that made all this possible could soon be cut short.”

The organisation states, “New proposals published by the Irish Presidency of the EU suggest major cuts to both the budget of the Horizon Europe research programme, and the health component of the new EU Competitiveness Fund. Additionally, there remains no written political commitments to maintain Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Research Mission on Cancer in the next EU budget period 2028-34.”

It goes on, “The newly published ‘negotiating box’ on the EU budget proposes a €36bn euro cut, with research and health taking the significant hits. €15bn and €3bn reductions respectively place further fears that Europe’s oncology science excellence will not be protected by EU budget makers.

“The EU Cancer Mission and Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan are supported through the EU’s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework.”

The organisation continues, “For the next budget, covering 2028 to 2034, the political winds have shifted towards newer priorities – competitiveness and defence.

“That means some cancer projects may never continue beyond their current grants, losing the chance to reach their full potential. Others could stop before they finish. And many more life-saving ideas may never begin at all.

“At a time when the European Parliament and civil society have been calling for health to remain a clear priority in the next EU budget, the newly adopted position of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union sends a concerning signal.”

“The absence of ring-fencing for health budgets, combined with a further reduction in Horizon Europe funding of almost 10%, risks putting this progress further at risk,” said the organisation

Rubio added, “The progress we’ve achieved so far in research and innovation is directly related to EU cooperation and funding. Yet the Irish Presidency’s proposal to cut an additional €15 billion from Horizon Europe in the next EU budget for 2028-2034, while still leaving health research without dedicated funding, risks undermining this progress. As Europe strives to reboot its competitiveness, devaluing oncology science is a perverse approach. We call on budget makers to see sense.

“Major future breakthroughs in cancer science can be led by Europe, but it needs the funding support to make that happen.”

Responding to the claims, the Irish presidency says there are “many key and significant elements on health” in the proposed budget plans.

The EU continues to be fully committed to the health needs of EU citizens, a spokesman told this website, adding, “The Irish Presidency published its revised Negotiating Box on the 2028 – 2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU’s long term budget,  on 10 October.

“The objective of our revision was to present a modern, flexible budget that invests in new and emerging priorities and protects treaty-based policies, while at the same time reflecting the fiscal realities that all Member States face.

“It seeks to reconcile the competing and diverging views that exist between Member States, while also accelerating the process towards a conclusion by resolving some issues and revealing where the most stubborn differences remain.

“There are many key and significant elements on health in the 2028-2034 MFF, including through the ‘Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy’ window of the European Competitiveness Fund and through the ‘Health Preparedness and Response’ strand in the UCPM+ programme.

“The revised Negotiating Box has ensured that these funds receive a very significant increase from the current MFF. For the UCPM+ programme, the Irish presidency has proposed an allocation of €6.1 billion.

“This represents an increase of 188% on current levels of spending, or 225% when accounting for inflation. For the ‘Health, Biotech, Agriculture and Bioeconomy’ window of the European Competitiveness Fund the Irish Presidency has proposed an allocation of €15.7 billion.

“This represents, again, a very significant increase of 246% on the current MFF, or 290% when accounting for inflation.”

The spokesman stated, “While savings have been made on the Commission proposal, both elements receive some of the largest percentage increases from the current MFF, representing the Union’s commitment to addressing future health needs.”

The spokesman added, “Since the publication of the Negotiating Box, Member States have carefully considered the compromise proposal, including amongst EU leaders at the European Council on 15 October. Following this meeting, the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, took over negotiations on the MFF  to allow for a final agreement.”