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| Europe |
| EU lobbyists resist transparency measures |
| 2007-06-12 |
| Lobbyists have thrown plans for more transparency in EU policymaking into doubt, saying yesterday they may not join a registry giving details of how they seek to influence decisions by Brussels. It is estimated there are up to 15,000 lobbyists in the Belgian capital, where the European Commission proposes new laws for adoption by the European Parliament and EU member countries that affect the 490 million people living in the 27-nation bloc. Many are public relations firms and it is not always clear who their clients are and how much money they spend. The EU anti-fraud commissioner, Siim Kallas, has asked lobbyists, non-governmental organisations and law firms to register voluntarily from next year who they represent, their lobbying objectives and fees. But the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) said yesterday the initiative failed to define lobbying clearly and ignored client and commercial confidentiality. Catherine Stewart, its vice-president, said: "There is a fundamental misconception that money equals influence. The commission should have more rigorous requirements otherwise it is open to the cowboys." The commissioner will give the voluntary system - which would include an industry code of conduct - a chance before considering a mandatory regime. Olivier Hoedeman, of the Corporate Europe Observatory, said many SEAP members were part of US public affairs groups that comply with a US mandatory system. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #1 EU In other surprising news, water is wet. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-06-12 17:26 |