Lobbyists throw EU transparency plan into doubt

By Huw Jones

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Lobbyists have thrown plans for more transparency in EU policymaking into doubt, saying on Monday 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.

EU Anti-Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas has asked lobbyists, non-governmental organizations and law firms to register voluntarily from next year who they represent, their lobbying objectives and fees.

But the Society of European Affairs Professionals said on Monday the initiative failed to define lobbying clearly and ignored client and commercial confidentiality.

"There is a fundamental misconception that money equals influence," SEAP vice president Catherine Stewart told reporters.

"The Commission should have more rigorous requirements otherwise it is open to the cowboys," Stewart said.

Other SEAP members, such as food company Kraft Foods, were also unsure whether they would sign the registry.

"At the moment, I don't know," Lyn Trytsman-Gray, SEAP president and director of public affairs at Kraft, said.

Kallas will give the voluntary system -- which would include an industry code of conduct -- a chance to work before considering a mandatory regime.

Olivier Hoedeman of Corporate Europe Observatory said many SEAP and EPACA members were part of American public affairs groups that comply with a U.S. mandatory system.

"I would be surprised if the European Commission would further weaken what they have proposed," Hoedeman said.

A spokesman for Kallas said the format of the registry would not be changed and it was expected to prove a success.

"The solution combines a voluntary system with a very serious form of disclosing information. I have received plenty of calls from different sides asking where can I sign up," Kallas' spokesman said.