EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

DfT: Disqualified drivers will be kept off UK and Irish roads by new regulations laid before Parliament last week andwhich should be in place by Spring 2009. The move will mean that UK drivers disqualified for an offence in the Republic of Ireland will no longer escape that punishment when they return home.  Likewise, disqualifications earned by Irish drivers while in the UK will be recognised & enforced when they return to Ireland.
 
The measures are the result of a deal agreed between the British, Irish and Northern Ireland Ministers in Belfast in June 2008 and represent the first practical step of its kind in Europe.  The agreement was the first to be drawn up under the terms of the 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications.
Press release ~ 1998 European Convention on driving disqualifications ~ Brake – Foreign drivers ~ Fifth of foreign drivers breaking law ~ EU deal means no escape from that speeding offence on the Continent
 
Defra: Defra has announced the detection of Bluetongue (Serotype 1) (BTV1) in five imported cattle on a premises near Blackpool in Lancashire. The animals originated from within the BTV1 and 8 Restricted Zone in the south west of France and were detected as a result of post-import testing carried out by Defra on all Bluetongue susceptible animals arriving from continental Europe.
 
This is the first case of BTV1 infection in the UK and the five animals have been culled as they may pose a disease threat to other animals.  One further animal from the same consignment has also been culled.  Test results for that animal were positive for bluetongue although it was not possible to determine the serotype. There is no evidence that BTV1 is circulating in the UK and no additional control zones have been declared.
Press release ~ EU Bluetongue rules ~ Defra - Bluetongue
 
ScotGov: Almost 14,000 producers received their Single Farm Payments (SFP) by Monday, 1 December 2008, injecting over £200m into the rural economy. Monday is the first day payments are permitted by European regulations and by the end of the year, 95% of producers - 20,200 businesses - will receive £427m.
 
The SFP is the replacement for historic arable & livestock direct support schemes in Scotland and this is the third year of operation.  Farmers applied for the scheme in May 2008. The payments farmers will receive are net of a 13% reduction for modulation (EC modulation 5%, Scottish modulation 8%).
 
Emphasis is now shifting to making Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments.  Validation, inspections and other pre-payment activity, to meet regulatory requirement, are underway to allow payments - worth £61m to more than 13,000 producers - to begin as soon as possible
Press release ~ Single Farm Payment scheme Scotland ~ Less Favoured Area Support Scheme payments Scotland
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story