MORE EUROBABBLE
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IN Given the amount of time spent on drafting, redrafting and reredrafting European Community laws, you'd think the Eurocrats were on piece work.
This week we report on two examples of the red tape roundabout. The first concerns new rules on livestock transport which looks set to increase livestock hauliers' costs. For the sake of the animals it should be welcomed: for too long animals travelling through various parts of the Community have been victims of appalling suffering and indifference. But are new laws the answer?
Britain can at least claim to actively control the way animals are transported. Our laws are clear and, more important, enforced. But once you cross the Channel it's a totally different story. There's no point in bringing in stricter controls on livestock haulage while some EC countries fail to enforce the old ones.
The second EC-inspired change involves attempts to resolve the question of what constitutes working time for drivers.
Once again the interpretations are as numerous OS member countries, but why the disharmony? Surely more than enough time was spent on drafting EC Drivers Hours all those years ago? The British view is that further EC rules aren't necessary and will be almost impossible to enforce. Not that this will stop the Eurocrats from hatching new. proposals.
As Doctor Johnson said, change is not made better without inconvenience, even from worse to better. Questioned about the planned EC changes on drivers working time and livestock transport he might well have replied: "If it ain't broke don't mend it. But if it is, mend it then mind it."