European Business and Parliament Scheme (EBPS)

In April this year, the European Business and Parliament Scheme (EBPS) - an umbrella group which brings together representatives from 28 multinational companies and MEPs - came under heavy criticism for using its rent-free offices inside the European Parliament (EP) to help large corporations influence EU decision-making. Parliamentarians from different political groups expressed deep concern about the EBPS’ lobbying operations, and the Parliament’s Council of Presidents decided that the organisation should be asked to move out of the building.

The EBPS, however, has so far stayed put, hosting a lavish gala dinner for corporate executives and MEPs in the President’s Dining Room on the 12th floor of the European Parliament in early June. They say they will leave at the end of the year, but they seem to have friends in high places. The Quaestors (who are responsible for administrative and financial matters within Parliament), have postponed a decision about the EBPS’ future.

In return for an annual membership fee of up to €15,000, the EBPS offers members a range of opportunities, including sessions with MEPs as well as the possibility to invite MEPs or senior officials for “company attachments or business fellowships”. The EBPS claims that its activities are not corporate lobbying, but rather “informing the economic policy and legislation through the non-lobbying, non-partisan and transparent mechanism”. In fact, evidence shows that the EBPS regularly assists members in influencing MEPs and so - directly or indirectly influences EU decision-making.

In May, for instance, the EPBS invited MEPs attending the EU-Latin America summit in Peru to visit the local offices of EBPS members, Telefónica, BBVA Group, BP and SUEZ. These visits were criticised as propaganda events for companies that are under heavy fire for the detrimental social and environmental impact of their operations in Peru and other Latin American countries.

The EBPS is a corporate dream come true, enabling direct contact with Members of the EP to influence policy-making without having to own up to lobbying.

Vote for the EBPS if you think its operations raise serious questions about the European Parliament’s ability to prevent excessive corporate influence on its policy-making.

Additional information :

Update: EBPS loses its privileged status in the European Parliament, moves out of EP offices, Worst EU Lobbying Awards News, 28 November 2008.

Corporate Lobbying from Rent Free European Parliament Offices - will MEPs allow the EBPS to stay?, Corporate Europe Observatory, October 2008.

EBPS reaction to the nomination, 31 October 2008.

Organisers of the Worst EU Lobbying Awards respond to EBPS letter, 7 November 2008.

IABP statement on EBPS, 25 November 2008.

WEULA response to Mr. Frederick Hyde-Chambers, 27 November 2008.

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