Press

Campaigners have today written to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission challenging the appointment of an industry expert to the public body. The official complaint argues that a senior figure and expert in risk communication should not have been appointed to the agency because of her close links to industry [1].

Industry “experts” are undermining an EU review of the regulations of pesticides and putting Europe’s bee population further at risk, according to new research from the European Beekeeping Coordination and Corporate Europe Observatory published today (Tuesday) [1].

The report comes ahead of a vote by MEPs (23rd – 24th November) on a resolution requiring independent research into bee mortality and a revision of EU rules governing risk assessments of bees' exposure to pesticides [2].

ALTER-EU's Paul De Clerck hands over petition to Commissioner Šefčovič

More than 50,000 people signed an online Avaaz petition, delivered to the EU Commission today, urging it to close the revolving doors for ex-Commissioners who move on to lucrative private sector lobby jobs after they step down [1].

Last month MEPs voted to freeze part of the next year’s EU budget for EU Commissioners unless changes were made to the code of conduct.

Civil society groups today urged the European Commission and Indian Government to halt free trade negotiations, scheduled to continue in Delhi tomorrow. In an open letter, signed by more than 100 groups, they warned that the talks would damage the livelihoods of millions of people in both India and Europe, exacerbating poverty and undermining economic and social development.

Asia Europe People's Forum, Belgian Platform for Action on Health and Solidarity, Corporate Europe Observatory, India FDI Watch, Programme on Women's Economic Social and Cultural Rights, WIDE network

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 10-11 am
Residence Palace – International Press Centre (Room Salon, ground floor)
Rue de la Loi 155 – Bloc C – 1040 Brussels

Brussels, 27 September 2010 – The ALTER-EU civil society coalition today called for the introduction of three-year cooling-off period for former Commissioners, and urged the EU Commission to block the new jobs for former Commissioners Charlie McCreevy and Günter Verheugen because of conflicts of interest.