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EURO-CREEP BULLETIN #14

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 EU and what the Conservatives should be doing about it Thursday, 30th April 2009 - reminder Immigration and the European Union Wednesday, 20th May 2009 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 finance - More EU control over taxation - More EU control over transport - More EU agricultural protectionism - EU control over the film industry - More EU control over education - More excessive regulations MORE EU CONTROL OVER FINANCE 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 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. MEETING REMINDER The Conservative Party and the EU Thursday, 30th April - 6.45pm for 7.00pm THE SPEAKERS STUART WHEELER Businessman and political philanthropist & FRASER NELSON Political Editor of The Spectator and columnist for the News of the World STUART WHEELER Stuart Wheeler is a retired businessman and Founder of the spread betting company IG Group, he sold his remaining shares in 2003. After completing his National Service in the Welsh Guards, he practiced for three years as a Barrister and then spent ten years in merchant banking, starting IG Index in 1974; which enabled spread betting on the price of gold. IG Index was soon expanded to include commodity and financial futures. In 2001 he donated £5 million to the Conservative Party, and has since made other donations but recently announced that he would be donating money to UKIP and supporting them in the Euro elections, whilst supporting the Conservatives in the local elections. Stuart Wheeler is a campaigner for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and took the Government to Court for breaching their manifesto commitment to hold a referendum on the EU Constitution. FRASER NELSON Fraser Nelson is a journalist and political commentator who is regularly seen on television discussing political issues. He is the Political Editor of The Spectator magazine and political columnist for the News of the World. Previously, he was political editor of The Scotsman newspaper and The Business magazine. He is an economic libertarian, sceptical of the reaction to global warming and is a supporter of traditional conservative policies and the Conservative Party, yet he is independent and not uncritical. 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 FORTHCOMING MEETING Immigration and the European Union Wednesday, 20th May 6.45pm for 7.00pm With Sir Andrew Green KCMG SIR ANDREW GREEN KCMG Sir Andrew Green was a professional diplomat for 35 years. He is the Chairman of MigrationWatch UK. Asked how he came to be involved in migration issues, Sir Andrews said that he first became aware of the problem when he was the Foreign Secretary’s principal adviser on the Middle East in the mid-90s. At that time he spent two years trying, on the Prime Minister instructions, to remove from Britain Islamic extremists who were claiming asylum but was frustrated by the British courts. MigrationWatch UK was founded in 2001 by Sir Andrew after he decided that immigration was a matter which should be brought to the attention of the public. MigrationWatch UK is an independent organisation; who believe that the public are entitled to know the facts about the numbers coming into Britain. Sir Andrew shall be launching at this meeting MigrationWatch’s report on how the European Union is affecting immigration into Britain. And shall be discussing; is membership of the EU compatible with immigration control? ADMISSION: £10 payable on the door or in advance Including wine, orange juice, mineral water and nibbles Click here for a form to book your place 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