Wanted: a lobbying ethics guardian
By Erik Wesselius
Financial Times,  February 1 2006 02:00

From Mr Erik Wesselius.
Sir, As you report ("Brussels lobbyists agree to registration", January 28), the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU), a coalition of more than 140 non-governmental organisations, very much welcomes the fact that the European Public Affairs Consultancies' Association has dropped its long-standing opposition to mandatory European Union lobbying disclosure rules.
However, ALTER-EU is not endorsing EPACA's proposal for a common code of conduct and the creation of an independent "European Public Affairs Council".
In a recent letter to Catherine Day, the European Commission secretary general, and Siim Kallas, the administration commissioner, ALTER-EU has submitted specific recommendations for an effective EU lobby registration and disclosure system, for rules of conduct (eg regarding the "revolving door" between EU institutions and lobby companies) and for ensuring equal access for different interest groups to EU decision-making.
ALTER-EU sees a crucial role for the European Commission to make this happen and provide visibility around lobbying for the European public, instead of waiting for lobbyists to come up with voluntary codes. We suggest establishing an independent public body with the necessary powers to act as a public guardian of lobbying transparency and ethics, for example a separate new lobbying transparency unit in the office of the European Ombudsman.

Erik Wesselius,
Member, ALTER-EU Steering Committee,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands