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EU Trade Committee's Legitimacy Questioned
2 July 2004
Friends of the Earth today welcomed WWF's announcement that it will take the Council of the European Union to court, following concerns about a key trade committee's lack of transparency and legal standing [1].
The Article 133 Committee plays an influential role in determining EU policy on world trade - a highly controversial area, where EU policy is disputed by many developing countries and non-governmental organisations. But the existence and workings of the committee have come under question following probes into the legality of its set-up.
Friends of the Earth recently asked the Council to provide copies of the legal documents showing how the 133 Committee was set up, the extent of its remit, scope, terms of reference, powers, or responsibilities. The reply stated: "Unfortunately, we have not been able to find in our Archives any such legislative act or decision," [2].
Following requests for copies of the documents setting out the membership of the committee, Friends of the Earth was told: "Such a document does not exist, as membership of the Article 133 Committee was never defined."
Friends of the Earth trade campaigner Eve Mitchell said:
"Given the vast power the 133 Committee has over European trade policy and negotiations, it is unacceptable that we `cannot' be told how it was established. This Committee appears to carry on without any of the normal democratic checks and balances being applied to its proceedings.
"We want to know, whether this committee was set up properly and legally; what its powers are, and who it represents. This is supposed to be part of a democratic institution - yet it seems more like the workings of a secretive and arcane club."
Notes
[1] See: www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/news.cfm?uNewsId=13950&uLangId=1
[2] Copies available from the press office at Friends of the Earth
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
