Commission HQ, Brussels

Delays to key EU aid legislation aimed at tackling killer diseases in the world's poorest countries have prompted criticism from the UK.

Three Cabinet ministers are reported to have written to the European Commission demanding action.

The Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement allows WTO members to "issue compulsory licences for export of medicines to countries without manufacturing capacity for such products".

But an EU regulation enabling national governments to enact flexible medicine patents to allow copies of cheap generic drugs targeted for the third world has been delayed.

The hold ups prompted anger from chancellor Gordon Brown, trade secretary Patricia Hewitt and international development secretary Hilary Benn, according to the Guardian Europe.

"We welcome the fact that the Commission is keen to issue an appropriate draft regulation as soon as possible," they wrote.

"We understand, however, that despite your best efforts this may not now be before the autumn due to the legal requirement to have a translation into each of the EU's now 20 languages."

Languages

The UK complaint highlights a Brussels headache over an EU treaty requirement to translate all draft legislation into the trade blocs 20 official languages.

The ministers were said to have asked EU trade chief Pascal Lamy to make the translation a priority.

"Early implementation by the EU would send a message to our citizens of our willingness to implement the agreed waiver and of the EU's strong commitment to improving access to medicines in line with [UN] millennium development goals," says the letter.

"Can we therefore urge the Commission to do all you can to expedite the translation process so the draft can be published and EU member countries begin the process of implementation."

Brussels officials played down translation delays and highlighted a "provisional waiver" agreed by all 147 members of the World Trade Organisation last August 30.

"It is true that on paper legislation has not been adopted but the WTO waiver means that poor countries can go ahead without being prosecuted whether or not there is EU legislation," said a Commission spokesman.

"While there is a legal problem it doesn't actually make any practical difference."