EU Committees as Influential Policy Makers

This text addresses the question of how and where EU decisions are taken. There are approximately 1000 decisions each year, but the Commission's legislative programme is limited - 16 proposals in 1997 and 31 in 1998, therefore the great majority are taken elsewhere, mainly in committees. Business is becoming aware of the role and influence of committees but increasingly frustrated because they are so "secretive". Committees do not publish their membership, agendas or minutes. This book aims to shed some light on the process.