Brexit victory? EU Agency braces for MAJOR STAFF LOSS due to Brexit move to continent
THE European Medicine Agency is expected to relocate from London to Amsterdam ahead of Brexit but chief Guido Rasi warned they are bracing for major staff loss as many refuse to move to the continent.
The European Medicine Agency (EMA) announced in November last year it would move headquarters to Holland to avoid disruption to its operation because of Brexit.
Remainers warned the move would cost Britain jobs as the EMA employs around 900 people to oversee the safety of medication for nearly 500 million people across the European Union.
But executive director Guido Rasi told Bloomberg the agency is now bracing for larger-than-expected staff losses as a survey carried out last year showed only 19 percent of employees would be willing to move from London.
Mr Rasi said: "The level of uncertainty is still high because of practicalities. We are monitoring it on a daily basis.
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"There will be a dip but we will be back and we will be back as strong and as good as ever."
The EMA is charged with assessing the effectiveness of new medicines before EU sale is allowed and monitors the safety of products already available.
The EU drug watchdog is currently located in London’s Canary Wharf and is expected to move its operations before Britain leaves the EU in 2019.
Amsterdam, Vienna, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Milan were all in the running to host the agency after a hard-fought bidding process.
There will be a dip but we will be back and we will be back as strong and as good as ever
Mr Rasi continued: "27 can easily replace one but it was very good in terms of quality.
"If you have to replace that you go to a certain level of uncertainty. However, Europe is quite well-placed with all the expertise you need."
Labour MEP Rory Palmer warned in November that the EMA’s relocation “highlights how damaging Brexit will be to the UK’s global standing.
Writing in The New Statesman, Mr Palmer said: “The relocation will lead to a loss of investment from pharmaceutical companies, who cite proximity to the agency as a key reason in choosing London for their EU bases.
“It will also mean losing the economic boost the EMA gives the London hospitality and service sectors (EMA activity currently generates demand for 350 hotels per night, five days a week in order to host its 40,000 visiting guest experts)."