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DRAFT REPORT (2025/2138(INI))

On the annual report on the activities of the European Ombudsman in 2024

PETI-PR-775671

Committee on Petitions · Rapporteur: Cristina Guarda

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The draft report approves the European Ombudsman's 2024 annual report and addresses issues raised in it, including delays in chemical authorisations, pesticide approvals, Council sponsorship, expert group composition, access to documents, and fundamental rights. It calls on the Commission to implement Ombudsman recommendations, improve transparency and ethics, and take action on specific cases such as the EU-Tunisia MoU and wolf protection status.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament approve the Ombudsman's 2024 annual report and adopt the resolution as drafted, with amendments calling for stronger action on chemicals, pesticides, transparency, and fundamental rights.

Key points

  1. Approves the Ombudsman's 2024 annual report and congratulates the new Ombudsman on her appointment.
  2. Expresses concern about Commission delays in authorising dangerous chemicals, calling for rejection of incomplete applications and full implementation of Ombudsman recommendations.
  3. Demands an immediate end to authorisation of hazardous pesticides, improved substitution rules, and a ban on all synthetic pesticides by 2035 at the latest.
  4. Calls for a stop to corporate sponsorship of Council events and for stringent conflict-of-interest rules.
  5. Regrets exclusion of civil society from the EU Energy Platform Industry Advisory Group and supports Ombudsman's work on balanced expert group composition.
  6. Supports Ombudsman's suggestions for the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, including assessing undue influence and ensuring diverse expertise.
  7. Deplores Commission's lack of impact assessment and consultation in preparing CAP amendment, violating evidence-based decision-making.
  8. Calls for full implementation of Ombudsman's suggestions on handling Commissioner conflicts of interest, including suspending decision-making processes.
  9. Expects Commission to improve handling of access to documents requests and warns of legal action before the CJEU if delays persist.
  10. Regrets Council and Commission refusals to disclose legislative documents and stresses that refusal should be exceptional.
  11. Underlines Frontex's obligation to comply with fundamental rights in search and rescue, and supports an independent inquiry into Mediterranean deaths.
  12. Criticises Commission's lack of transparency on human rights in EU-Tunisia MoU and on documents related to child sexual abuse legislation.

Who is affected

  • The European Commission, which must implement Ombudsman recommendations on chemicals, pesticides, transparency, and conflicts of interest.
  • The Council of the EU, which is urged to stop corporate sponsorship and improve legislative transparency.
  • Frontex, which must fully comply with fundamental rights in its activities, including search and rescue.
  • The EU institutions generally, which must ensure transparency and ethical standards in interactions with private stakeholders.

Figures and deadlines

  • 415 inquiries opened in 2024, 427 closed.
  • 270 inquiries concerned the Commission (65.0%).
  • Maladministration found in 8.0% of closed inquiries.
  • Transparency and accountability was the top concern in 42.2% of inquiries.
  • Commission missed legal deadlines in 85% of access requests.
  • Acceptance rate of Ombudsman proposals was 82% in 2024.

Legal basis: Articles 15, 24(3), 228 and 298(1) TFEU, Article 10(3) TEU, and Articles 11, 41, 42 and 43 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights.