We are opposing the legal complaints from private competitors in Italy, Spain and France that are against co-operative legal and fiscal frameworks. They are demanding that certain provisions be considered as state aid and against European competition law.

COOPERATIVES EUROPE has met the relevant Commissioners, written to the President of the Commission and to all other Commissioners, to the members of the EESC and the EP, as well to national officials. Many have expressed their support for our representations.

Even though the Commission is continuing to postpone the dates of decision, the threats are still there! If the Commission agrees to the attacks, this will affect the principles of our co-operative identity and our co-operative values. If they deny our ’co-operative difference’, the Commission will question not only the right of diversity of enterprises in Europe but, more paradoxically, the Commission will reduce competition!

A recent Norwegian case is another example of an attack against cooperatives. Norway is not in the EU, but is a member of the EFTA. In the frame of reinforced cooperation, EFTA countries have signed an agreement with the EU to comply to EU legislation and particularly that concerning competition and state aids. Following this agreement the EU Commission has contested on 17 April a proposal from the Norwegian government for a specific tax regime for co-operatives. The proposed regime compensates for discrimination against cooperatives when compared to share companies, especially regarding access to public finance.

The only possible reaction we can make to counter such decisions - decisions that do not take into account our history, our values and principles and our social and economic weight - is to show our strong opposition at the highest level of the European Commission. Such an opposition must start in all EU countries.

The new EU Treaty, currently under ratification, creates the obligation for the Commission to discuss proposals signed by more than 1 Million citizens. Our petition is anticipating this new instrument. We need to obtain this number of signatures to have an impact on the Commission. This is why we request your personal support and the support of all co-operatives to sign the e-petition. We will present the e-petition to the Commission to show the commitment of co- operators to the future of their movement.