MEP: 'UK science industry benefits from EU'

The East of England MEP Vicky Ford (pictured) is to speak up for British science which she says gains greatly from being part of the EU. Ford said: "Britain and particularly the East of England benefits hugely from the european science budget. We are a country and indeed a region that punches well above our weight."

Ford's comments will be made on Thursday (24 September) at a debate at Cambridge University hosted by its Vice-Chancellor.

She said: "Researchers based at Cambridge University have received more EU science grants than the whole of Ireland, Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic combined. It is a system we should continue to use and develop."

"I've seen many great examples of researchers based in the East of England working with others across Europe on projects that will have a real impact on real people's lives. The Babraham Institute in Cambridge is doing sterling work to help us understand and treat diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The Bioinformatics Insititute based in Hinxton is at the forefront of using big data to understand how viruses and cancers mutate and thus helping to develop personalised treatments. Cranfield University in Bedfordshire has just started building a new facility to develop quieter and more efficient aircraft. John Innes in Norwich and Rothamsted Institute in Hertfordshire are both homes to world class plant research helping to produce better drought and disease resistant crops.

"By being at the negotiating table we can influence international discussions and agreements on complex topics like clinical trials, open access, animal testing, genetic modification, embryonic stem cell research, knowledge transfer and data sharing.

"British researchers are at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery in many disciplines across the world. And they must continue to remain there."

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