Europees Parlement stemt in juni over ACTA (en)

A proposal to recommend that Parliament should refer the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the EU i Court of Justice was rejected by the International Trade Committee on Wednesday, with 21 MEPs against , 5 in favour and 2 abstentions.

Rapporteur David Martin (S&D i , UK), had asked the committee to vote on the question due to a perceived lack of support from other political groups within the House.

He had also said that if the committee decided not to proceed with the referral recommendation, he would withdraw his initial proposal to prepare an interim report with questions to the European Commission and EU Member States on what steps they would take to implement ACTA.

After the vote, Mr Martin said he would adhere to the previously agreed timetable for Parliament's decision on whether to say yes or no to ACTA.

What next?

According to the previously agreed timetable, at the next committee meeting, on 25-26 April Mr Martin will present his recommendation as to whether EP should say yes or no to ACTA.

The final International Trade Committee vote is scheduled for 29-30 May, and Parliament as a whole is to vote on the issue at its June plenary session.