The report advocating a stronger EU role in the fight against cancer, tabled by Véronique Trillet-Lenoir (Renew Europe, France) (see EUROPE 12891/15), was adopted by a large majority (652 votes in favour, 15 against, 27 abstentions) on Wednesday 16 February.
The final text was cut by two amendments which dealt with the preventive aspect of the strategy and with alcohol consumption. In paragraph 15 of the resolution, it is no longer alcohol consumption that is identified as a risk factor for many different cancers, but only “alcohol abuse”. Also in paragraph 15, MEPs refer to a study cited by the WHO “which found that the safest level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer prevention is not to consume alcohol”.
An amendment by The Left group also adds to the report the importance of allocating sufficient funding for scientific and social science research to study inequalities in access to care and innovation in paediatric cancers. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)