To secure a rapid and sufficient supply of vaccines and medicines, the global south has asked for a waiver of intellectual property rights. But despite the gravity of the situation, that is rejected outright by the EU. That should not come as a surprise. A briefing from CEO outlines the EU's traditional role as a staunch defender of big pharma monopolies, and how the push for provisions on 'data exclusivity' in trade agreements with third countries have seeked to undermine even existing flexibility under international rules.

Chemical giant's lobbyists woo MEPs via online wine tasting, just as the battle over pesticides reduction proposed by the European Green Deal heats up. But does this event comply with existing rules on lobbying gifts and events targeting MEPs?

A detailed summary of the findings and conclusions of two extensive reports on research public-private partnerships in the EU: the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and the Bio-Based Industries (BBI) Joint Undertakings.

Despite strong calls from MEPs and the public, ExxonMobil and its lobby groups mobilise enough behind-the-scenes pressure to stop the European Parliament taking away its lobby badges

Corporate Europe Observatory is looking for a full-time Communications Officer to join us in working from our Brussels office, ideally from September 2021. You will play an active and hands-on role in the CEO communications team and work with our researchers and campaigners to get the maximum impact for their publications and activities.

Corporate Europe Observatory is looking for a full time Digital Engagement Officer to join us in our Brussels office, ideally from September 2021. As Digital Engagement Officer you will be responsible for CEO’s digital strategy by working with colleagues to enlarge CEO’s supporter base, engaging supporters more deeply with our campaigning work, help amplify CEO’s messages, and strengthening CEO’s online fundraising

Over more than one year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission has held meetings primarily with representatives of Big Pharma or the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (1) and associated organizations like ‘Global Citizen’. The Commission has listened almost exclusively to this echo chamber which pushes protecting Big Pharma patent rights, despite the way they are exacerbating global vaccine apartheid.

Who meets the European Commission to discuss the scarcity of COVID vaccines and medicines in Europe and globally? An investigation of recent meetings show a disconcerting pattern: only those not questioning big pharma’s monopoly on patents seem to be allowed in. While mega-philanthropist Bill Gates and the pro-patent lobby are a powerful force influencing the EU’s response, proponents of COVID technology-sharing face closed doors.

In this new episode of EU Watchdog Radio we dive into the issue of plains, trains, cars and bicycles aka transport policy and why this is such a powerful issue in the context of climate change and healthy societies.

The study released today by the European Commission on products from new GM techniques like CRISPR-Cas shows that the institution has been lending its ears almost entirely to the biotech industry. The study suggests that the current EU GMO rules may not be “fit for purpose” for some new GM applications. It is a clear first step to the deregulation of these techniques, which would mean no safety checks for the environment or public health, nor consumer labelling. This outcome cannot be seen separately from the decade-long lobby campaign by the GM industry and developers calling for deregulation