In the Committee on Budgetary Control, there was broad agreement in the vote on the report by Niclas Herbst (CDU) for the discharge of the Commission for 2023. The report contains two passages that deal with the contracts of the EU Commission’s executive agency CINEA with NGOs in the Life Environment Program of the Multiannual Financial Framework. The report expresses „deep concern“ about the design of some of these contracts. It notes that the agreements provide for lobbying activities towards other Commission departments and Members of Parliament. It goes on to say that this gives the impression that the Commission is paying the organizations to influence decision-making. This could contradict the principle of separation of powers. The text goes on to say that it is firmly believed „that EU funds should not be used to lobby EU institutions.“