26/09/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 25 September, the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC) expressed its profound concern about the risk of the United Kingdom leaving the European Copernicus terrestrial observation programme. EARSC pointed out that the British are the biggest investors in the project and that this member state brings a lot of knowledge to it. The EARSC is also concerned by what could happen to industrial partnerships when it comes to using data with United Kingdom. The organisation believes that it is necessary for the United Kingdom to continue its participation in the programme for both financial and know-how reasons and is calling for clarification of future relations between the EU and United Kingdom as soon as possible. During a debate at the European Parliament, speakers agreed on keeping the United Kingdom in the Space programmes, with the exception of the security sections of the Galileo programme (see EUROPE 12103). (PH)