Tag: european union

Coporate corruption controls: close the revolving doors

Posted by – 02/11/2010

Top European Commission politicians are taking lucrative corporate lobbyist jobs.

It’s outrageous — over half of top European Union politicians move straight from their posts into lucrative corporate lobbying jobs — turning the EU into a “lobbyocracy” run by big business, not the people.

The European Parliament is up in arms and has just threatened to withhold EU budget money until a new code of conduct is introduced to block officials rushing to become lobbyists. In a few days parliamentarians will meet to hear the Commission’s proposals, but they need support to force a decisive change.

EU: No More Illegal Timber

Posted by – 08/06/2010

Right now European institutions are deciding on legislation that would ban illegal timber, which devastates forests and enriches organized crime. But certain member states with large timber industries are blocking negotiations.

Within days, the European Union could ban illegal timber from entering the market — but powerful companies are blocking discussions.

Forests are the habitat and life source of many peoples and are essential in preventing climate change, but while there is high demand for timber, illegal logging thrives, killing species, and fuelling corruption and organized crime.