Robust rules needed for EU lobbying says parliament’s Green/EFA group

Provided by Dods EU monitoring

Source: Greens/EFA group press release

Date published: April 15 2008

The Alexander Stubb report on new lobbying rules will be voted in plenary on 8 May. Speaking at today's Greens/EFA seminar "Whatever happened to democracy?" in the build-up to this vote, Green MEP Satu Hassi, vice chair of parliament’s environment, public health and food safety committee commented:

"Today's rules for lobbying date back to a time when the only role of the European parliament was to give opinions. We clearly need stricter rules now that parliament has become a powerful legislator.

It is an essential part of democracy that various stakeholders can approach decision makers, but in the current system money buys lobbying power. If you have the finances, you can employ lobbyists to meet MEPs one-to-one or invite them to dinners. Among professional lobbyists, the number of business representatives is disproportional compared to citizens' interests groups such as consumer or environmental organisations and trade unions. "

The lack of transparency in lobbying is a key ´democracy deficit´. There is currently no obligation for lobbying organisations to publish their funding and the identity of their clients. Everybody knows that lobbyists are often behind legislative amendments tabled by MEPs, yet it is impossible to fully trace the real sources.

The Greens are driving for a mandatory register for all lobbyists starting from 2009 and a public blacklist of those who break the rules. We also call for full financial disclosure. Any proposals for amendments that lobbyists provide to MEPs should also be submitted to a public register. Only these measures will represent a real step forward towards greater transparency and public trust."

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