Seeds

Too Big to Control?

June 21st 2017The power of lobbies, Food and agriculture
Some of the world’s biggest companies producing chemicals for agricultural use, such as Bayer and Monsanto, are gearing up to join forces through mergers. This article exposes how the European Commission has consolidated its pro-merger track record over the past decades.
Blog post

Is the seed industry about to win a decisive victory in the battle over food chain control?

November 19th 2013The power of lobbies, Food and agriculture
One of the last hot topics in the European Parliament before the 2014 elections is a new set of rules on seeds marketing. This text is extremely important for all players in the food chain: seed savers, farmers and the seed industry of course, but also environmentalists, consumers and the agro-industry at large. The European Parliament has appointed a rapporteur on the issue, Italian MEP Sergio Silvestris (EPP) who is now co-hosting a dinner event with the European Seed Association (ESA), the seed industry's lobby group in Brussels.

Closing in on our seeds

June 5th 2013Food and agriculture
For the first time in their history, European institutions will reform the entire package of legislation related to seed marketing. Since seeds are the starting point for the whole human food chain, this is hugely significant. From the very start of the process this policy initiative has been an unique opportunity for large seed companies to reinforce their control over a commercial seed supply system that they already largely dominate.

 

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Stop ISDS campaign 2019

Blog post

Is the seed industry about to win a decisive victory in the battle over food chain control?

November 19th 2013The power of lobbies, Food and agriculture
One of the last hot topics in the European Parliament before the 2014 elections is a new set of rules on seeds marketing. This text is extremely important for all players in the food chain: seed savers, farmers and the seed industry of course, but also environmentalists, consumers and the agro-industry at large. The European Parliament has appointed a rapporteur on the issue, Italian MEP Sergio Silvestris (EPP) who is now co-hosting a dinner event with the European Seed Association (ESA), the seed industry's lobby group in Brussels.

Closing in on our seeds

June 5th 2013Food and agriculture
For the first time in their history, European institutions will reform the entire package of legislation related to seed marketing. Since seeds are the starting point for the whole human food chain, this is hugely significant. From the very start of the process this policy initiative has been an unique opportunity for large seed companies to reinforce their control over a commercial seed supply system that they already largely dominate.

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Advance veto power would affect a huge range of services

February 14th 2019The power of lobbies

New information shows the chilling scope of proposed EU rules on services (the ‘Bolkestein Directive’) that would give the Commission advance veto power over decisions taken by parliaments and city councils on a vast range of services, including everything from childcare, to energy, to water, and even sex work.

Veto power to please lobbyists – corporations behind Commission power grab over services

February 14th 2019The power of lobbies

New documents increase concerns over the controversial reform to the Services Notification Procedure (“Bolkestein Directive”), which could radically expand EU Commission powers over national and municipal services regulation: 55 files obtained via access to documents requests show the heavy influence of big business lobbies over the proposal.

Captured states

February 6th 2019The power of lobbies

Member states play a hugely important role in EU decision-making, but too often they act as middlemen for corporate interests. This new report combines case studies, original research, and analysis to illustrate the depth of the problem - and what you can do about it.

Promoting the indefensible: Saudi Arabia’s Brussels lobby shop

January 28th 2019The power of lobbies

There can be few more controversial clients for a lobbying consultancy than the regime of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. No surprises, then, that a Brussels-based lobbying firm has been less than forthcoming about its role. Corporate Europe Observatory lifts the lid on the company lobbying on behalf of this repressive regime.