The document provides guidance on lobbying members of the European Parliament (MEP) on animal welfare issues. It outlines the key EU institutions involved in decision making and how the European Parliament specifically influences policy through committees, public hearings, and questions. MEPs are seen as the most approachable institution and lobbying them involves researching their interests, arranging meetings to discuss issues and policy asks, and following up. Successful lobbying examples by animal welfare groups are provided, including getting over 400 MEPs to sign a declaration on dog population management. The document encourages getting involved in the upcoming European elections to lobby candidates.

1. EU Lobbying Tips
Laura Vallance
Public Affairs Manager
Dogs Trust
Claire Calder
Policy Officer
Eurogroup for Animals

2. Brussels
The Basics

3. How it works
• The European Council
• The European Commission (EC)
• The European Parliament (EP)
• The Council of the European Union

4. The European Parliament
• 766 MEPs
• 22 committees
• Next elections: May 22 -25 2014
• Seven political groups: EPP, S&D, ALDE, ECR, Greens/EFA,
GUE/NGL, EFD, (+NI)
• Meets three weeks a month in Brussels and one week a
month in Strasbourg for plenary sessions

5. How EP Influences
• Own-initiative reports
• Public hearings
• Questions to the European Commission and to the Council
• Intergroups (Animal Welfare)

6. Intergroup Animal Welfare

7. Lobbying MEPs
The EP, a key player in the EU decision making process
• The most approachable and democratic EU institution
• MEPs represent the will and concerns of the EU citizens
• Lobbyists are part of the system

8. Ways to Lobby
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Letters, emails etc
Face to Face meetings
Ongoing relationships
Visits to Shelters
PR & Social Media

9. Be Well Informed
• Master the content of your briefings
• Know your arguments
• Look for convincing answers to counter arguments
• Be able to say were further information can be found
• Propose to speak with experts if detailed knowledge is
required

10. Research the MEP
• Do your research on the MEP you are meeting
• Get general background information ( internet, media)
• Which are her/his committees, which delegations
• Which reports of other parliamentary activities

11. Useful Meeting Tips

Some small talk helps to create a
positive atmosphere
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Don’t interrupt
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If the conversation is drifting away
from the initial purpose try politely to
come back to the point
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Give an overview about the issues you
want to present
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Have a brief agenda prepared
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Hand out the briefing or folder with
briefings to be used as reference when
needed
Shortly summarise what has been
discussed
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Get concrete commitments by asking
clearly but politely
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Use a clear and simple language
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Ask questions to gather information
Assure that you will provide additional
information if needed and requested
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Take some notes and come back to
aspects of interest
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Always end on a positive
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Do a picture and PR if appropriate
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Follow up on the meeting
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Listen carefully to give precise
comments and replies when needed

12. Obstacles to Effective Lobbying
• MEPs get hundreds of letters/emails
• MEP not interested in animal welfare
• Companion animal welfare is not a
competency of the EU
• Language barriers

13. Lobbying Success – Dogs Trust
• Alyn Smith MEP
• Appointed as lead negotiator on Animal
Health and Welfare Strategy in July
• No Previous Contact
• Wrote a letter of congratulations & invited
him to visit Glasgow rehoming centre

16. Lobbying Success
• Written Declaration tabled in EP on Dog Population
Management & Compulsory Identification
• Eurogroup, Dogs Trust and 2011 ICAWC delegates lobbied
MEPs asking them to support declaration
• 401 MEPs signed
• Commission forced to act
• Dogs & Cats included in EU Animal Welfare Strategy

17. European Elections - Get
Involved
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European Election May 2014
124 million owned dogs and cats
Lobby your candidates (even if its just 1)
Speak to them about issues in your country
Invite them to visit a shelter
Ask them to sign Eurogroup pledge
Ask political parties to put the following in their
manifesto’s

18. Animal Welfare - Key Points
• EU rules to improve the breeding and sale of
dogs and cats
• Compulsory identification & registration in an
appropriate database, linked to an EU
database
• Licencing of dog and cat breeders and
traders

20. For more information please
contact:
laura.vallance@dogstrust.org.uk
c.calder@eurogroupforanimals.org

21. Thank You