EXPOSING THE EU's PLANS
Ever-closer Union underway

The UK has to 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. 

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. 

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.

Popular Alliance say - Many of our businesses are collapsing over the costs of these endless regulations, with most prices then past onto the consumers. The UK's struct adherence to these regulations often results with our businesses becoming uncompetitive overseas, including to other EU countries who choose to ignore these regulations.

Consumer = Voter, so do something about it June

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 (British Law again being superceeded). 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. It is quite strange that our control freak of an ex-Chancellor agrees to this, has he actually read the text ?

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 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. The EU has no jurisdiction on these shores beyond that of a trading agreement.

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. This goes against details of the last labour manifesto which promised to help third world nations build their economies.

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. In other words, no British programme or film can utter a single word against the EU - not they ever have, given the weak politics of the BBC and ITV.

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. Just as our government is stepping back from so many form filling practices, they will have to make another embarrassing U-turn.

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

Again, Popular Alliance calls for a referendum on our continuing membership of this undemocratic regime that should not have any legal jurisdiction upon our shores beyond that of a trading agreement, as voted for in a national referndum in 1975 and in which no-one under the age of 52 has had a say - the vast majority of our work force !!


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