New EU lobby register to go online in June

MEPs gave their backing on the 11 May 2011 to plans for a joint register of lobbyists and other interest groups seeking access to the European Parliament and the European Commission. The European Parliament urgeds that lobbyists' exchanges with lead MEPs be listed in a 'legislative footprint annex' to parliamentary reports. It also hoped the Council of Ministers would take part in this 'transparency register'.

But campaigners for more transparency in Brussels remained deeply unsatisfied. Their most basic objection was that the combined register would not be mandatory.

• Primary Source

European Parliament: Press Release, 11.5.11: MEPs back joint Parliament-Commission register of lobbyists http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/content/20110510IPR19128/html/MEPs-back-joint-Parliament-Commission-register-of-lobbyists

ESO: Background information: Transparency register to replace 'lobby register' http://www.europeansources.info/record/transparency-register-to-replace-lobby-register/

EUObserver, 12.05.11: Top EU institutions to use joint lobbyist register http://euobserver.com/9/32317

BBC News, 12.5.11: EU to launch new register of Brussels lobbyists http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13377522

Alter-EU: Press Release, 11.5.11: MEPs vote to support mandatory lobby transparency register - ALTER-EU urges swift implementation http://www.alter-eu.org/press-releases/2011/05/11/meps-back-mandatory-lobby-transparency-register

EPACA: Press Release, 7.4.11: Statement on EP action on lobbying http://epaca.org/media/Statement%20on%20EP%20Actions%20on%20lobbying%20110407.pdf

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