The European Commission has ignored a request from the European policeman for more transparency in its relations with the tobacco giants.
Emily O'Reilly, European mediator, called on the executive to publish online every meeting an EU official has with tobacco lobbyists. In vain. The role of the European Ombudsman is to investigate cases of maladministration within the institutions.
On February 8, she said “ regret deeply The rejection of the Commission, which it says knowingly ignores the UN guidelines on health and turns a blind eye to the lobbying of the tobacco giants in various directorates-general (DGs) of the Commission.
The executive, who already has a stormy experience with tobacco lobbying, claims to act in accordance with the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (CCSA).
This 2005 convention asks its signatories, including the EU, to be responsible and transparent in their relations with the tobacco industry. Only the Commission's DG Health has adhered to the convention, explained Emily O'Reilly, despite rules stipulating that “ all branches of governance Fell under the scope of the FCTC.
« Public health must meet the highest standards ", She said in a statement that could precede a harsh criticism of the Commission in its final report.
« Juncker Commission magnifies a real opportunity to show global leadership in tobacco lobbying », Assured Emily O'Reilly. " It seems that the lobbying power of the tobacco industry continues to be underestimated. »
The European mediator has opened an investigation into the subject following a complaint from the NGO Observatory of Industrial Europe. The mediator is responsible for finding " amicable solutions To complaints.
Although she can not force the Commission to follow her recommendations, the mediator can end her investigation with a damning report.
In October 2015, she described the Commission's transparency policy vis-à-vis tobacco lobbies as “ inadequate, not serious, and lacking », But the executive decided to ignore his recommendations.
The ombudsperson, who acknowledged that the Juncker Commission has made some progress in transparency in other sectors, will meet with the Industrial Europe Observatory before finalizing her report.
« The complacency and opacity with which the Commission manages its relations in the tobacco industry are very regrettable, but this is not new », Regretted Olivier Hoedeman, research and campaign coordinator of the Industrial Europe Observatory. " We hope that it will finally understand that it must respect its UN obligations and take effective measures to prevent the undue influence of tobacco lobbyists. »
The previous Barroso Commission had already been shaken by a tobacco industry bribe scandal, the Dalligate. In October 2012, an investigation by the anti-fraud office revealed that in exchange for 60 million euros, the Commissioner for Health John Dalli was ready to soften the directive on tobacco. The latter was then pushed towards the exit by the former President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
A study published in 2014 found that Philip Morris was the company that spent the most money lobbying the EU.
CONTEXT
The European Ombudsman investigates complaints of maladministration lodged against EU institutions and bodies. Any EU citizen, resident, company or association established in a Member State can lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.
Emily O'Reilly, the current mediator, opened this investigation following the complaint of the Observatory of industrial Europe, an NGO which accuses the Commission of not respecting the rules of transparency of the WHO relating to tobacco.
In October 2012, the Health Commissioner, John Dalli, resigned following an investigation by the anti-fraud office revealing influence peddling with the tobacco industry.
The OLAF report revealed that a Maltese lobbyist had met tobacco producer Swedish Match and offered to use his contacts with John Dalli to overturn the EU's export ban on snuff.
According to the report, Mr. Dalli was not involved, but was aware of the events. John Dalli rejected OLAF's findings, saying he never knew what was going on.
Source : euractiv.fr - Vap'you
