The Bruges Group is much under-used and in consequence underrated.
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First half are proposals and the second half consists of earlier
proposals which are now law
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BRUGES GROUP 28.4.09
EU CONTROL OVER SMALL LOANS
EU proposals will allow for more people to be caught in the debt trap.
The European Union plans regarding what it describes as the micro-
finance market seek to prohibit caps on interest rates. Currently
many people in financial difficulties take on what appear to be small
loans but find themselves hit by excessive interest rates.
The EU proposals, concerning loans below the value of ?25,000, will
go some way to giving a freehand to those who wish to exploit people
without the UK authorities being able to rule that such exploitation
is illegal.
Commission Communication: A European initiative for the development
of micro-credit in support of growth and employment COM(07) 708
UK TO UNDERWRITE THE LOSSES OF THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
British taxpayer at risk from the European Investment Bank (EIB)
being encouraged to spend billions abroad.
The EU plans to expand the activities of the EIB so that it can spend
more outside of the European Union with the member states being
liable for any losses. The burden in these uncertain economic times
will heavily fall upon the UK.
The European Union proposals will place increased costs on the
taxpayer at an increased risk, but for less benefit as most of the
money will go overseas.
Draft Decision granting a Community guarantee to the European
Investment Bank against losses under loans and loan guarantees for
projects outside the Community COM(08) 910
MORE EU CONTROL OVER TAXATION
EU CONTROL OVER THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RECOVERY OF CROSS-BORDER TAXES
The EU is set to expand its power over the exchange of tax
information and the recovery of taxes.
These proposals will introduce new administrative and reporting
burdens onto businesses. Furthermore, the proposed EU rules will not
adhere to the due process of innocent until proven guilty. Instead
they will follow the precautionary principle and shall enable the
recovery of taxes to assets to begin before someone has been found to
be avoiding payment.
The plans add further threats to Britain's tax sovereignty as the
draft directives cover all types of national taxation, both indirect
and direct.
Draft Council Directive on administrative cooperation in the field of
taxation COM(09) 29
Draft Council Directive concerning mutual assistance for the recovery
of claims relating to taxes, duties and other measures COM(09) 28
MORE EU CONTROL OVER TRANSPORT
MORE EU CONTROL OVER THE SECURITY OF PORTS
The UK's maritime security is to be made answerable to the EU.
The European Commission's plans to take more control over the
security surrounding ports will hand them more power over them, but
it will also enhance its power over shipping and the areas
surrounding ports.
Commission report: Report assessing the implementation of the
Directive on enhancing port security COM(09) 02
MOVES TOWARDS A COMMON TRANSPORT POLICY
The EU proposes to control transportation.
The European Commission is seeking more powers to allow it to be in
charge of;
. technological innovation in transport
. intelligent systems to manage traffic
. the role of transport over water and ports
. airports
. issues relating to passenger and freight traffic
As part of the EU's plans to integrate the UK's transport system
within the EU's, the European Commission will also be able to
influence how much Britain spends on transportation networks.
Green paper TEN-T: A policy review towards a better integrated Trans-
European Transport Network at the service of the common Transport
policy COM(09) 44
MORE EU CONTROL OVER CARS
The EU has restated its proposals to have spyware added to our cars.
This will allow for road charging using the EU's Galileo satellite
system which will give the European Union a new revenue stream. The
European Commission is using the issue of climate change as an excuse
for this new stealth tax on motoring.
These proposals will enable the European Union to enhance its traffic
management policy plans and begin the harmonisation of traffic laws.
The plans have a number of privacy implications relating to personal
data and may infringe civil liberties.
Commission Communication: Action plan for the deployment of
intelligent transport systems in Europe COM(08) 886
MORE EU AGRICULTURAL PROTECTIONISM
STEALTH EU MEASURES THAT PUNISH THIRD-WORLD FARMERS
Farmers in developing nations will find it even harder to export food
to the EU.
The European Union is attempting to export its regulations to farmers
in countries that are outside of the EU; forcing them to adopt
burdensome rules if they are to trade their goods within Europe. This
will oblige them to bear more costs which will make it even harder
for them to overcome existing EU protectionist measures, such as
punitive trade tariffs, and compete with well subsidised continental
farmers.
Commission Green Paper on agricultural product quality: product
standards, farming requirements and quality schemes COM(08) 641
EU CONTROL OVER THE FILM INDUSTRY
THE EU'S LAME ATTEMPT AT CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
The EU hopes that young people will choose to watch films that have
been backed by the EU.
The proposals from the European Commission may lead to the
harmonisation of the film industry. This important medium should be
free from EU propaganda.
The stated aim of the European Union proposals is to, "enable the EU
to play its cultural and political role in the world more
effectively." This is an express attempt to rival both Hollywood and
Bollywood.
Draft Decision to establish an audiovisual cooperation programme with
professionals from third countries MEDIA MUNDUS COM(08) 892
MORE EU CONTROL OVER EDUCATION
EU PLANS MORE ARBITRARY TARGETS IN EDUCATION AND TRAINING
EU proposals will expand the culture of having to meet targets set by
bureaucrats.
The EU is planning to control education and training via laying down
arbitrary performance indicators. The European Commission policy
proposals will also allow it to begin taking control over the fight
against illiteracy in children.
The EU's plans will also allow for more students from outside of the
European Union to use Britain's education and training facilities.
And allow it to influence how much the UK spends on higher education.
Commission Communication: An updated strategic framework for European
cooperation in education and training COM(08) 865
MORE EXCESSIVE REGULATIONS
EU CONTROL OVER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS
The EU is planning to force small businesses in the UK to comply with
their costly standards.
UK manufacturers of products used in the construction industry will,
under EU proposals, have to adopt common EU standards and display the
common marks on those products. This will lead to producers of
construction equipment being hit with a combined cost of £40 million
with on-going costs totalling £7 million per year. An additional
burden which many will not be able to afford during these troubled
economic times.
As a result of the absurdity of the European Commission's proposals,
British standards may be lowered in areas that are safety-critical.
This may undermine the UK's reputation for excellence in highly
technical areas.
Draft Regulation laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing
of construction products COM(08) 311
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THE FLOOD OF EU LAWS
From 21st February 2009 to 25th April the EU has passed laws which
will impact on the UK. That is TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHT!
Since May 2007 the total is 2,823.
Examples of the laws recently introduced are below:
. EU Control over the transport industry
Council Regulation (EC) No 169/2009 applying rules of competition to
transport by rail, road and inland waterway
.
.
. More EU control over shipping
Council Regulation (EC) No 246/2009 on the application of Article 81
(3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements, decisions and
concerted practices between liner shipping companies (consortia)
(Codified version)
.
.
. EU control over aviation security
Commission Regulation (EC) No 272/2009 supplementing the common basic
standards on civil aviation security laid down in the Annex to
Regulation (EC) No 300/2008 of the European Parliament and of the
Council
.
.
. More EU control over aviation
Directive 2009/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on
airport charges
.
.
. Even more EU control over aviation
Commission Regulation (EC) No 298/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No
474/2006 establishing the Community list of air carriers which are
subject to an operating ban within the Community
.
.
. More EU control over the milk industry
Commission Regulation (EC) No 149/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No
214/2001 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council
Regulation (EC) No 1255/1999 as regards intervention on the market in
skimmed milk powder
.
.
. Price of fruit and veg
Commission Regulation (EC) No 155/2009 establishing the standard
import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and
vegetables
.
.
. Importation of garlic
Commission Regulation (EC) No 171/2009 on the issue of licences for
the import of garlic in the subperiod from 1 June to 31 August 2009
.
.
. More control of the olive oil industry
Commission Regulation (EC) No 182/2009 amending Regulation (EC) No
1019/2002 on marketing standards for olive oil
.
.
. More EU control over deposits
Directive 2009/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
amending Directive 94/19/EC on deposit-guarantee schemes as regards
the coverage level and the payout delay
.
.
. EU control over lights
Commission Regulation (EC) No 244/2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/
EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to
ecodesign requirements for non-directional household lamps
.
.
. More EU control over lights
Commission Regulation (EC) No 245/2009 implementing Directive 2005/32/
EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to
ecodesign requirements for fluorescent lamps without integrated
ballast, for high intensity discharge lamps, and for ballasts and
luminaires able to operate such lamps, and repealing Directive
2000/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
.
.
. More EU control over trademarks
Council Regulation (EC) No 207/2009 on the Community trade mark
(codified version)
.
.
. EU control over fruit in schools
Commission Regulation (EC) No 288/2009 laying down detailed rules for
applying Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards Community
aid for supplying fruit and vegetables, processed fruit and
vegetables and banana products to children in educational
establishments, in the framework of a School Fruit Scheme
.
.
. More EU control over HM Revenue and Customs
Commission Regulation (EC) No 312/2009 amending Regulation (EEC) No
2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code
.
.
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.
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