The European Parliament banned lobbyists from Monsanto after the company boycotted hearings about its efforts to influence EU policy and regulations of its controversial weed-killer glyphosate.

It's the first time members of the European Parliamet (MEPs) have invoked new rules to withdraw parliamentary access for firms that ignore a summons to attend parliamentary inquiries or hearings.  It means Monsanto reps will now be unable to meet MEPs, attend committee meetings or use digital resources on parliament premises in Brussels or Strasbourg, effective immediately.

"This is strong democracy.  Those who escape democratic accountability must be excluded from access to lobbying," said German MEP Sven Giegold of the Greens/EFA alliance.  "If Monsanto does business in Europe, it must also face up to its responsibilities before the European Parliament."

MEPs were angered over Monsanto's decision to turn its back on a hearing scheduled for 11 October that will bring together the environment and agriculture committees, academics, regulators, and environmental campaigners.  They'll discuss allegations Monsanto unduly influenced regulatory studies into the safety of glyphosate - a key ingredient in its best-selling RoundUp weedkiller - which has been linked to cancer by one expert WHO panel.

"Those who ignore the rules of democracy also lose their rights as a lobbyist in the European parliament," said the Green party president Philippe Lamberts.  "US corporations must also accept the democratic control function of the parliament.  Monsanto cannot escape this."