Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, gives a press conference on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

corporate social responsibility (T)

Strasbourg

press conference

WOLTERS, Lara (S&D, NL)

Press conference by Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75141999/1709122024308_I253753Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Original), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, Thank you. Martina, thank you for being here today. You will no doubt be aware that for the second time today, the presidency, the Belgian presidency, brought the Corporate sustainability due Diligence directive to COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States) and that for the second time, they did not find a qualified majority.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, The text that they had before them was the result of, over two years of careful negotiation. Member states were listened to carefully and able to give their input throughout the negotiation process, especially in the latter stages. To walk back on commitments or come up with more demands, that shows a flagrant disregard for the European Parliament as a co-legislator, and it undermines the trust required to reach trialogue agreements. And so what happened today is very concerning.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, The failure of member States to improve this agreement is an outrage to me. This law should be a global landmark to hold companies to account and incentivize responsible business conduct, and companies are already preparing to implement it. N

SOUNDBITE (Original), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, ow, every effort has been made to reach a majority, and there is significant public pressure from business and civil society to do so. Instead, member states are listening to a minority of extreme business voices who have so far rejected every proposal and continue to do so.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Lara WOLTERS (S&D, NL), Rapporteur, As the European elections approach, there is still time for member states to get their act together and to stop blocking this law. But that time is rapidly running out. The time for political posturing is over. Now it's time to get serious about delivering for citizens, and I look forward to hearing more from the council today about how they plan to address the issue at hand. Thank you.

Q&A, Question about her personnal impression.

Q&A, Question on what the Parliament could do to reach an agreement.

Q&A, Question about the companies influencing de Council.

Q&A, Question about a possible comparison with the platform directive?

Q&A, Question about thresholds and European credibility.

Q&A, Question about the options left now.

Q&A, Question about the future of this proposition.

Q&A, Question about the position of Italy in this negociation.

Q&A, Question about the position of France.