On Thursday 1 February, the Conference of Presidents of the Political Groups at the European Parliament added a declaration from the Commissioner for the Internal Market and Industry, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, to the agenda of the next Parliament plenary session. This focuses on the recent revelations about the emissions tests carried out on monkeys and human beings for Volkswagen and other German manufacturers.
The Commissioner’s declaration is expected for Monday 5 February towards 6.30pm. It will focus on the manipulation of scientific research by multinationals, following the emissions tests on monkeys and humans by the German automobile industry.
In reply to a question from EUROPE at a press conference in Sofia on Thursday 1 February (see other articles), the Commissioner remained evasive about the subject, particularly with regard to possible action the European Commission could undertake in this connection.
The latter, however, indicated that it was in permanent contact with the automobile manufacturers and member states with which “they can do a lot" to tackle these practices. Bieńkowska expressed her clear disapproval and described it as “scandal!”. Nonetheless, she said that the subject had not been discussed by the member states during the informal Industry Council this week (see other article).
It should be recalled that several German and US newspapers have revealed that Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW carried out nitric oxide inhalation tests on monkeys in 2014, as well as on 25 individuals aged under 30 in the European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector (EUGT).
The Commission immediately rejected any responsibility in this regard and explained that it did not have any prerogative in this area (see EUROPE 11949). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)