ABSTRACT
In analysing interest group involvement in German policy-making on European Community (EC) questions an important distinction must be drawn between the Federal Government's European strategy and its specific position papers relating to Commission proposals. The German Farmers' Union (DBV) has adopted a parallel form of organisation in its research departments to that of the Federal Government. There are two angles to be examined regarding the Federation of German Industry (BDI's) involvement in EC policy-making: how opinions are formulated internally, and how they are then presented to decision-making institutions. The DIHT's structure in respect of EC policy-making corresponds to that of the BDI and BGA discussed above and it is a member of an umbrella group, the Standing Conference of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the EC. It adopts views on EC proposals that affect all branches of the economy; those bearing solely upon industry, commerce or employers' interests are dealt with by the other groups examined above.
