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EURO-CREEP BULLETIN #13

The Bruges Group spearheads the intellectual battle against the notion of "ever–closer Union" in Europe and, above all, against British involvement in a single European state. If you do not wish to receive these news-bulletins please send an e-mail to: unsubscribe@brugesgroup.com Please write unsubscribe in the subject heading Exposing the EU's plans And The flood of EU laws The destruction of Parliamentary democracy Tuesday, 24th February 2009 - reminder Bruges Group DVD offer How EU and Government Waste is Costing You Money EXPOSING THE EU's PLANS Ever-closer Union underway The UK has to be obey judgments made in Brussels which override decisions made by our own democratic institutions. What is more the British taxpayer has to pay Brussels £ billions each year for the ‘privilege’ of being bound by EU law. Recently the EU announced its intention to take more control over Britain. These plans include: - More EU control over taxation - More EU control over financial services - More EU control over justice and home affairs - EU control over resources - More EU control over energy - EU control over building regulations - More EU control over healthcare - More EU control over the transport industry MORE EU CONTROL OVER TAXATION EU TO EXPAND ITS POWER OVER INCOME FROM SAVINGS As a further blow to UK tax sovereignty the EU is set to take further control over the taxation of savings. The EU proposals will mean that the scope of the EU’s power to control the taxation of savings will be expanded to include; more financial products more life insurance products payments made by intermediaries income derived from securities more collective investment funds Exception certificates will also be abolished under the EU proposals. The EU also wishes to expand its powers to include getting hold of more financial information, particularly relating to joint accounts and investments where there are shared benefits. The EU’s powers will also be increased to enable it to try and tax money that is outside EU but held by those residents that are based here. This will simply have the effect of driving the wealthy abroad. Draft Directive amending Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments COM(08) 727 MORE EU CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL SERVICES EU CONTROL OVER THE CITY OF LONDON The European Union is taking from the UK the right to regulate financial services. The EU proposals put this important economic field firmly under the control of Brussels. The latest areas targeted by the EU include taking control over: Credit rating agencies: Only allowing credit institutions to trade in rated securities if the EU grants them a licence to do so. Brussels plans do not allow for a right of appeal if the European Union decides not to issue such a licence. Investment funds: Removing investment funds from UK regulation and placing them under the control of the EU. Cross-border financial transactions and payments in euros: The EU plans to control these transactions and the issuing of credit related to them. Draft Regulation on credit rating agencies COM(08) 704 Draft Directive amending Directives 2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC as regards banks affiliated to central institutions, certain own funds items, large exposures, supervisory arrangements, and crisis management COM(08) 602 Draft Directive on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (UCTIS) COM(08) 458 Draft Regulation on cross-border payments in the Community COM(08) 640 Draft Directive amending Directive 98/26/EC on settlement finality in payment and securities settlement systems and Directive 2002/47/EC on financial collateral arrangements as regards linked systems and credit claims COM(08) 213 MORE EU CONTROL OVER JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS EU CONTROL OVER THE RECOVERY OF ASSETS The EU wishes to expand the power of Europol and Eurojust to control the recovery of the proceeds of ‘crime’. The EU plans will undermine the principle of innocent until proven guilty as no prior criminal conviction will be needed for it to recover assets. They will create the new criminal offence of ‘owning unjustified assets’, i.e. wealth which is higher than can be expected according to the owner’s declared income. Furthermore, the proposals will also almost reverse the burden of proof because the evidence for a confiscation can be circumstantial. The European Union also proposes to take the power to force member states to give them the bank account details and information of people it suspects. Handing such powers to the EU, a corrupt and undemocratic organisation, should not be an option. Commission Communication on the proceeds of crime COM(08) 766 EU TO EXPAND ITS POWER INTO NATIONAL SECURITY The EU is seeking to expand its power to control the security of what it regards as ‘European critical infrastructure’. The European Commission will be given the power to develop and control strategies for protecting the security of: energy chemical installations financial centres food production health care information technology the nuclear industry research sites the space industry transport water supply The EU proposals will also mean the sharing of potentially sensitive data with the European Commission and other EU member states. The EU using Article 308 to expand its power into this area even though Brussels has not been granted the right to take these powers by any treaty endorsed by a national parliament. Draft Council Decision on a Critical Infrastructure Warning Network (CIWIN) COM(08) 676 EU CONTROL OVER RESOURCES EU CONTROL OVER NON-ENERGY RAW MATERIALS Under EU proposals the EU will take more power over industrial policy. The EU is seeking to control the right to use raw materials. Even controlling access to the land from where raw materials can be mined. This will undermine the UK’s planning system. Local government will also lose even more control over recycling and refuse collection to the EU. Commission Communication: Raw materials initiative COM(08) 699 MORE EU CONTROL OVER ENERGY EU CONTROL OVER ENERGY STOCKS AND NETWORKS As part of the EU’s plans to take more control over natural resources, the EU is seeking to have access to a minimum of 10% of the UK’s energy reserves. The European Union plans also include taking control over gas and oil pipelines; and, at an enormous cost to the British taxpayer, expand the interconnection of energy networks so that other EU member states can share in the UK’s energy resources. The European Union is also seeking to make the member states of the European Union answer to the European Commission as to how gas and oil stocks are to be used, with the EU taking control over: how demand for resources is to be managed how stocks are to be used in a crisis and how and where the stocks are to be stored These power grabs are coming despite the fact that the Lisbon Treaty, which seeks to award the EU control over energy policy, is not legally in force. Commission Communication: Second strategic energy review – An EU energy security and solidarity action plan COM(08) 781 Commission Green Paper: Towards a secure sustainable and competitive European energy network COM(08) 782 Draft Council Directive imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products COM(08) 775 Commission Communication on Directive 2004/67/EC concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply COM(08) 769 MORE EU CONTROL OVER NUCLEAR ENERGY The EU is seeking to control the development of nuclear power stations. Under these plans the European Commission will be granted the right to regulate and control: the granting of licences for building new facilities where nuclear power stations can be located how they can be constructed how nuclear stations should be maintained and operated and how they should be decommissioned The European Union will also be expanding its power over the safety of nuclear facilities. Draft Council Directives COM(08) 790, COM(04) 526 and COM(03) 32 Commission Communication: COM(08) 766 MORE EU CONTROL OVER OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY Under EU plans the UK is to be forced to expand the number of offshore wind turbines. The EU also seeks to control how the wind turbines are incorporated into the national grid. These proposals will make the debate in Britain on so-called renewable energy even more irrelevant. Commission Communication: Offshore Wind Energy – Action needed to deliver on the Energy Objectives for 2020 and beyond COM(08) 768 EU CONTROL OVER BUILDING REGULATIONS EU CONTROL OVER THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF BUILDINGS EU proposals will add more bureaucracy to the construction of homes and offices. The EU will have control over the minimum energy performance requirements of buildings, including the specifications for air conditioning units and heaters; and where alternative heating systems should be installed. Brussels is also set to expand the complexity of energy performance certificates. These rules regarding buildings will apply regardless of floor area. They will not only affect the construction of new buildings but will also apply when a home or office is undergoing a major renovation. Draft Directive on the energy performance of buildings (recast) COM(08) 780 MORE EU CONTROL OVER HEALTHCARE EU TO DICTATE TO MEMBER STATES RULES REGARDING MEDICINES EU is set to give more power to the European Medicines Agency. The European Union is also looking to expand its power in an attempt to create a fully functioning single market for pharmaceuticals across the EU. Commission Communication: Safe, Innovative and Accessible Medicines: a Renewed Vision for the Pharmaceutical Sector COM(08) 666 Draft Directive Com(08) 665 and Draft Regulation COM(08) 664 EU CONTROL OVER PATIENT SAFETY The EU is set to take control over the fight against hospital acquired infections. The European Union plans to lay down patient safety programmes and policies that the National Health Service must follow. Furthermore, Brussels bureaucrats plan to take charge of the training of doctors and nurses in preventing the spread of hospital superbugs. The European Union shall also be setting the targets for patient safety; which is part of their efforts to standardise healthcare across the EU. Commission Communication on patient safety, including the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections COM(08) 836 Draft Council Recommendation on patient safety, including the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections COM(08) 837 EU CONTROL OVER ORGANS FOR TRANSPLANTATION Under European Union plans Brussels is to take control over the quality and standards of organs for donations. The EU proposals also set where organs can be transplanted. The European Union plans also decree that organ donations must be voluntary. The selling of organs for donations is to be made an EU offence. Brussels bureaucrats also aim to improve the knowledge of doctors and nurses in the organisational procedures relating to organ donations; and to enhance the communication skills of healthcare professionals when discussing transplantation issues. The European Union proposals will lead to the harmonisation of organ donation. Draft Directive on standards of quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation COM(08) 818 MORE EU CONTROL OVER THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY MORE LIMITS ON ROAD HAULAGE WORKERS The EU plans to limit the working time of self-employed drivers. This will mean more costs for the road haulage industry which will have to be passed onto the consumer; which during these tough economic times cannot be afforded. The planned restrictions are to be brought in under the guise of safety. However, they are being pushed for by the German authorities to protect their own road hauliers from the competition of harder working hauliers from different countries, most notably those from Eastern Europe. Furthermore, limiting working hours just forces drivers to take more risks driving so that they can remain competitive. Draft Directive amending Directive 2002/15/EC on the organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile road transport activities COM(08) 650 MORE EXPENSIVE REGULATIONS FOR BUS, COACH AND FERRY OPERATORS The EU is set to add more costs onto passenger carriers. Using the issue of passenger rights the EU is seeking to establish a new bureaucratic agency to enforce the EU’s rules. The regulations could cost UK operators over £387 million. This will increase the financial burden on the transportation industry. Draft Regulation on the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport COM(08) 817 Draft Regulation concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterways COM(08) 816 MORE EU CONTROL OVER AVIATION The EU is aiming to bring the UK’s aviation industry into compliance with EU law. As part of its plans for a Common Aviation Area the European Union wants to standardise regulations across the EU and beyond to neighbouring countries to create a single aviation market governed by Brussels. Commission Communication: Common Aviation Area with the neighbouring countries by 2010 – progress report COM(08) 596 THE FLOOD OF EU LAWS From 16th July 2008 to 20th February 2009 the EU has passed laws which will impact on the UK. That is EIGHT HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN! Since May 2007 the total is 2,615. Examples of the laws recently introduced are below: More EU control over air transport Commission Regulation (EC) No 668/2008 amending Annexes II to V of Regulation (EC) No 2096/2005 laying down common requirements for the provision of air navigation services, as regards working methods and operating procedures Even more EU control over air transport Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community (Recast) More EU control over air transport information Commission Regulation (EC) No 29/2009 laying down requirements on data link services for the single European sky More EU control over aviation security Commission Regulation (EC) No 820/2008 laying down measures for the implementation of the common basic standards on aviation security More EU control over the railways Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (Recast) Even more EU control over the railways Regulation (EC) No 1335/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 establishing a European Railway Agency (Agency Regulation) Price of fruit and veg Commission Regulation (EC) No 691/2008 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables Restrictions on the British fishing industry Commission Regulation (EC) No 891/2008 establishing a prohibition of fishing for cod in I and IIb by vessels flying the flag of United Kingdom More restrictions on the British fishing industry Commission Regulation (EC) No 985/2008 prohibiting fishing for red seabream in Community waters and waters not under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries of VI, VII and VIII by vessels flying the flag of Great Britain Even more restrictions on the British fishing industry Commission Regulation (EC) No 899/2008 establishing a prohibition of fishing for cod in Norwegian waters of I and II by vessels flying the flag of United Kingdom Defining a pig Council Directive 2008/71/EC on the identification and registration of pigs (Codified version) Exchanging information on pigs Commission Regulation (EC) No 834/2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1319/2006 on the exchange between the Member States and the Commission of certain information concerning pigmeat More control over exporting pigs Commission Regulation (EC) No 854/2008 providing for exceptional measures regarding export licences for pigmeat Tariffs on pigs Commission Regulation (EC) No 918/2008 on the issuing of import licences for applications lodged during the first seven days of September 2008 under tariff quotas opened by Regulation (EC) No 806/2007 for pigmeat More control over the marketing of pigs Commission Regulation (EC) No 710/2008 setting the weighting coefficients to be used in calculating the Community market price for pig carcases for the 2008/2009 marketing year Protection of pigs Council Directive 2008/120/EC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs (Codified version) More control over immigration Regulation (EC) No 767/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short-stay visas (VIS Regulation) Control over inland waterway vessels Commission Directive 2008/87/EC amending Directive 2006/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down technical requirements for inland waterway vessels More EU control over trailers Commission Regulation (EC) No 1060/2008 replacing Annexes I, III, IV, VI, VII, XI and XV to Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) Enforcing principles from the Charter of Fundamental Rights Directive 2008/104/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary agency work More EU control over justice and home affairs Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law More EU control over customs and excise Commission Regulation (EC) No 1192/2008 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code Controlling the price of fruit and courgettes Commission Regulation (EC) No 1277/2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1580/2007 as regards the trigger levels for additional duties on pears, lemons, apples and courgettes Control over the development of hydrogen-powered cars Regulation (EC) No 79/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles, and amending Directive 2007/46/EC Each time the anti-democratic EU legislative process passes a law, a new cost is added onto British businesses. As members of the European Union there is nothing that our own democratic process can do to overturn those decisions. NEXT MEETING The Destruction of Parliamentary Democracy Tuesday, 24th February - 6.45pm for 7.00pm THE SPEAKERS RT HON. PETER LILLEY, MP Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1990-1992 & MARTIN HOWE, QC Author and specialist in EU law and the constitution RT HON. PETER LILLEY, MP After a successful career in business Peter Lilley entered politics and joined Mrs Thatcher's Cabinet as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 1990-1992. From 1992 – 1997 he was Secretary of State for Social Security. He also served as Shadow Chancellor and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party. His publications include, Do You Sincerely Want to Win? -Defeating Terrorism in Ulster. Taking Liberties. And, Too much of a Good Thing? A Balanced Immigration Policy. Peter Lilley famously said in a speech in Parliament that because the EU makes 80% of our new laws, MPs pay should be cut to reflect their diminished role. MARTIN HOWE, QC As a specialist in EU law Martin Howe is amongst the most authoritative and respected spokesman against the encroachment of the European Union onto our democracy. Along with Dr Brian Hindley, Co-Chairman of the Bruges Group, he authored Better Off Out?: The Benefits or Costs of EU Membership. His other publications include; Asylum and the European Constitution, Tackling Terrorism: the European Human Rights Convention and the Enemy Within, Europe and the Constitution after Maastricht, and Social Europe: Escape or Entrapment? Which analysed the threat of severe damage to our industries from social laws imposed by Brussels. Martin is a member of the Bruges Group’s Academic Advisory Council. ADMISSION: £10 payable on the door or in advance Including wine, orange juice, mineral water and nibbles LOCATION: Foreign Press Association 11 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AJ AGENDA: Lectures: 7.00pm – 8.00pm Discussion: 8.00pm – 8.30pm Wine and refreshments: 8.30pm – 10.00pm BRUGES GROUP DVD OFFER The DVD of the November 2008 Conference Purchase your DVD of the Bruges Group’s 2008 Conference, held in the Great Hall of King’s College London. The conference covered How EU and Government Waste is Costing You Money For details of the speakers, and to listen and read the speeches online: Click here Click here for a form to purchase your DVD Alternatively, you can find out more about how to purchase your DVD by calling Robert Oulds on                020 72...        or by replying to this e-mail -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honorary President: The Rt Hon. the Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven, LG, OM, FRS Vice-President: The Rt Hon. the Lord Lamont of Lerwick, Co-Chairmen: Dr Brian Hindley & Barry Legg Director: Robert Oulds MA, Head of Research: Dr Helen Szamuely Washington D.C. Representative: John O'Sullivan, CBE Founder Chairman: Lord Harris of High Cross, Former Chairmen: Dr Martin Holmes & Professor Kenneth Minogue -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For further information contact: Robert Oulds Director The Bruges Group 227 Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, London W1B 5TB UK Tel:                +44(0) 20 7287 4414         Mobile:                07740 029787         E-mail: info@brugesgroup.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you do not wish to receive these news-bulletins please send an e-mail to: unsubscribe@brugesgroup.com