Why bother with Brussels? RSPB

Why influence the European Union?

The RSPB work for the conservation of wild birds in the UK and internationally aiming to secure a healthy environment for birds and other wildlife. The RSPB have been campaigning on a range of issues at the European Union (EU) level for well over 30 years. For RSPB influencing the EU is a clear cut case. If you look at the UK about 90% of environmental legislation originates from the EU - the environment does not respect national borders. So the laws that have an impact on RSPB's work are more likely to start in Brussels RSPB try to influence at the source of decision making.

How to influence the EU

Work through umbrella groups

RSPB is member of a European umbrella organisation called Birdlife International, which is a network of bird protection organisations from each EU member state.

Working through Brussels based umbrella groups makes it easier to link up with other organisation across the EU with similar interests and will be able to provide you with advice and support to ensure your campaigning has a greater impact.

If you are new to the EU or a smaller organisation with limited resources the relevant umbrella organisation can give you the advise and support you need to influence effectively.

Focus on the issue

Key to success at the EU level is focussing in on a specific issue. With 27 countries, 785 MEPS and large European Commission you will need to focus in on specific areas to have impact. As with UK influencing it is generally easier to lobby on an issue when there is an opportunity to influence legislation, although this is not always the case. Read how Louise McVay with the support of the European MS Platform successfully petitioned the Parliament.

Identify influencing opportunities

Keep up to date with influencing opportunities by monitoring the EU news. You can subscribe to various EU news channels - newsletters and websites that will alert you to new legislation proposals and consultations.

If you have limited resources then don't spend your time in monitoring news; EU umbrella organisations will be able to keep you update on the Brussels agenda.

Trade in Wildbirds ban campaign

RSPB have been campaigning on a ban on the import of wild birds to the UK for the past 30 years. RSPB When the Bird Flu epidemic hit in 2005 and the EU sought to revise the regulations around the health rules on animal imports and placed a temporary ban on imports, it created the opportunity for RSPB to influence that formal decision making process there was a train already leaving the station Sacha Cleminson, Senior European Advocacy Officer, RSPB.

The organisation decided that this would be a priority campaign and dedicated the resources - staff and time to getting the regulations changed.

Work with partners

To strengthen their campaign RSPB looked for partners to work with, not only within the environmental sector but outside it. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) were able to bring a new sphere to the campaign coalition, as the professional trade body on this issue, they were able to supply the evidence and be the experts'.

Partnership working can have it's challenges but the relationship with the BVA worked well as there was buy in to the campaign from the top down. The President of the BVA had a keen interest in campaigning and they had a staff member that was keen to be present at various meetings, with key EU officials arranged by the RSPB.

In this case the Parliament was not involved in the decision making process but was used to demonstrate support and place pressure on the Commission when needed.

Get the UK government onside

We are lucky in the UK that we are quite a large and powerful state in Europe, so if you get the UK government on board you are well away to securing change at the EU. If possible secure buy in from the Prime Minster, but such a high level of support is unusual so focus on the relevant Ministers and civil servants back home.

RSPB secured a letter of personal support from Tony Blair promising to press the rest of the EU to make the temporary ban on the trade permanent, this support helped swing the campaign victory.

In the letter, he said "the RSPB's campaign has graphically demonstrated that the catching and transportation of wild birds.causes unacceptable levels of suffering to the birds and can have a damaging impact on their wild populations."

The permanent ban on trade in wild bird, which came into force from July 2007, means that up to two million wild birds a year will be saved from the pet trade which has caused the decline of many species. RSPB have been watching all member states closely to check that the ban is being properly enforced.

General tips

Find as many influential partners as you can and be creative - look outside the sector to trade organisations, trade unions, professional bodies etc. Unusual coalitions get noticed and demonstrate wide support for you issue.
The key difference between EU and UK decision making is the emphasis on compromise and consensus. With so many member states, political parties and interests you need find a position that you are happy to compromise on. There is saying about the European Commission you know they have a good result when nobody is really happy.'
Involve your members in the campaign if you can. Many MEPs are happy to offer support to their constituents if they believe in your issue. Contituency letters with a well thought-out ask go a long way.
The most important thing is to get face to face time. Get to Brussels and visit MEPs and other officials and invite them onto site visits or educational projects to see the issues for themselves.
Be clear on your ask - have one or two things that are the priority any more and they will get lost in the influencing process.

With thanks to Sacha Cleminson, EU advocacy manager, RSPB

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