Euro Myths - Brussels Bureaucrats (Andrew Duff MEP)

Andrew Duff MEP <info@andrewduffmep.org.uk>

Brussels Bureaucrats

Most of Britain's red tape comes from bureaucrats in Brussels. This is untrue. From 1995-99, for example, Whitehall produced 2634 more regulations (Statutory Instruments) than the combined total of EU directives, decisions and regulations.
Brussels bureaucrats are to impose a standard Euro-condom of insufficient size to house British assets. This is untrue. Any standardisation work regarding condoms at a European level has been with regard to safety and not to length.
Britain's A-levels and university degrees could be axed by EU plans to harmonise schools and teaching. This is untrue. The EU has no such plans or powers. Any such changes would be on the initiative of UK Governments: in Scotland, for example, the equivalent Highers and SYS are a matters for the Scottish Parliament.
Brussels is impinging further on national prerogatives by ruling on compulsory release dates for murderers. This is untrue. The European Commission has no such powers. The appropriate national authorities deal with questions such as these.
EU to ban smacking. This is untrue. Any position taken by the European Court of Human Rights is nothing to do with the EU because it is a totally separate body: an organ of the intergovernmental Council of Europe.
Brussels is planning to outlaw darts in British pubs because it is feared too dangerous. This is untrue. There are no plans for any such thing.
Public Holidays may be harmonised across the EU. This is untrue and indeed impossible. The European Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with this. It is a matter solely for the national authorities concerned.
Brussels is set to torpedo 'lethal' PVC bath-time ducks. This is untrue. Environmental activists and consumer protection groups had been seeking a total ban and the removal from shops of objects containing potentially carcinogenic phthalates which may be chewed by children. There is no plot by Eurocrats to ban rubber ducks, just a desire by countries across the EU to make sure kids toys are safe.
Brussels bureaucrats are harmonising street lighting. This is untrue. This is a matter for national or local government, not the EU.
Charity Shops are banned from selling second-hand toys as a result of the EC Toy Safety Directive. This is not true. EU agreements do not and will not ban charity shops from selling second-hand toys.
Britain's teatime will have to become longer because an EU ruling has reduced the electricity voltage into domestic homes. Standardising EU electricity voltages was a private sector initiative, totally independent of the EU, and was welcomed by the then UK Minister for Energy, Rt. Hon. Tim Eggar MP. Northern Ireland is already aligned with the European standard. It will remove a barrier to trade and give consumers greater choice and flexibility in the purchase and use of electrical appliances.
Brussels bureaucrats ban the display of any sign reading 'Fire Exit', unless the design also carries a 'Europictogram' of a running man. This is untrue. The differences between the health and safety signs currently used in the workplace can lead to uncertainty and confusion abroad. The use of standardised signs in the workplace was agreed by EU governments to help reduce the hazards for Brits abroad which can arise through linguistic and cultural differences.
EU proposals for harmonising marks on jewellery across Europe are threatening the strong safeguards provided in this country by the British hallmarking tradition. This is untrue. The British hallmarking tradition is not being threatened.