On Tuesday 7 November, Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) announced that it had submitted a complaint the same day to the EU institutions about Monsanto's non-compliance with the EU's transparency rules. The main reason for the complaint is that Monsanto's lobbying costs in 2016 are reportedly largely under-reported in its declarations.
The complaint, which was submitted to the EU's Joint Transparency Register Secretariat, comes two days ahead of the vote of member state experts on the Commission's proposal that now seeks to renew the glyphosate licence in the EU for five years (see EUROPE 11893).
CEO criticises Monsanto for "obvious and substantial under-reporting" of the amount of money the company spends on its lobbying activities. While Monsanto declares it spent less than €400,000 in 2016 seeking to influence the EU institutions, transparency declarations by other organisations show that Monsanto spent at least €910,000 – for the services of four lobby consultancies alone. Indeed, this figure could be higher, CEO states in a press release. The NGO also complains about Monsanto's failure to list any of the organisations representing the company's interests, as well as Monsanto's entry omitting any connection with the Glyphosate Task Force (manufacturers, including Monsanto, wanting re-authorisation of the glyphosate licence in the EU).
On 11 October, CEO took part in the Monsanto Papers public hearing at the European Parliament, sitting on the panel on transparency and the use of scientific studies in risk assessment in the EU (see EUROPE 11881). The EU transparency register covers all activities conducted with the aim of influencing, directly or indirectly, the development or implementation of European policies – whatever the channel or mode of communication used. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)