Commission must act to tackle business lobbyists in expert groups

Publication date: 
lundi, September 17, 2012

Exclusive footage filmed for Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) - a steering committee member of the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) - reveals how corporate lobbyists target the European Commission's advisory groups in order to influence the legislative process at the earliest stage.

Campaigners say that by targeting these expert groups, lobbyists are able to shape the legislative agenda from an early stage. Research published by ALTER-EU has revealed that two thirds of DG Enterprise's non-governmental advisory groups are dominated by big business interests, with more than 480 big business representatives providing the Commission with advice.

CEO is calling for changes to the rules to ensure full transparency including the names of all expert group members, details of meetings, including the agenda and minutes, and a commitment to ensure that all expert groups are balanced.

 

Commission must act to tackle business lobbyists in expert groups from Corporate Europe Observatory on Vimeo.