British MEP David Martin, in charge of steering the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) through the European Parliament, said yesterday (12 April) that he would urge lawmakers to reject the controversial treaty.

Martin (Socialists and Democrats) cited fears that the agreement could discourage generic drug supplies to developing countries, and presents an outdated concept of intellectual property.

"We have to modernise our approach to intellectual property rights. There is a risk that ACTA will freeze it in its current form," he said.

The Parliament's approval is necessary to ratify the international agreement (see background).