Lobbyists have thrown plans for more transparency in EU policymaking into doubt today by threatening to refuse to sign a registry giving details of how they seek to influence decisions in Brussels.
There is an estimated 15,000 lobbyists in the Belgian capital, where the European Commission proposes new laws for adoption by the European Parliament and EU member countries that affect the 490 million people living in the 27-nation bloc.
Many are public relations firms and it is not always clear who their clients are and how much money they spend.
EU Anti-Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas has asked lobbyists, non-governmental organisations and law firms to register voluntarily from next year who they represent, their lobbying objectives and fees.
But the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) said today the initiative failed to define lobbying clearly and ignored client and commercial confidentiality.
"There is a fundamental misconception that money equals influence," SEAP vice president Catherine Stewart said.
"The Commission should have more rigorous requirements otherwise it is open to the cowboys," she added.
Other SEAP members were also unsure whether they would sign the registry.
Mr Kallas will give the voluntary system - which would include an industry code of conduct - a chance to work before considering a mandatory regime.