European Commission President agrees with Euro MP to scrap absurd laws

2.38.12pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Sep 2005

Following on from a campaign led by Liz Lynne Liberal Democrat MEP, the European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, agreed today laws like parts of the recent optical radiation directive - the EU directive that would force builders to keep their shirts on while at work - were a joke. Mr Barroso is examining 200 draft laws and has already identified 69 to be scrapped. The deregulation effort is in line with the MEP's campaign to do away with unnecessary EU laws like banning bare-chested builders.

Upon learning of Mr Barroso's programme of deregulation, Ms Lynne commented,

"I am so pleased that common sense appears to be prevailing in the European Commission at last. I have claimed for some time now that unnecessary regulation gives a bad name to the EU.

"The absurd notion that builders would have to keep their shirts on while at work is a perfect example of the legislation that Mr Barroso is talking about. We were fortunate to win the vote and scrap that part of the optical radiation directive, and I hope it is a sign of things to come. I now hope that the Council of Ministers will see sense and accept our amendments.

"It is important that the EU deals with major issues that will have impact across all of Europe, not matters that can be decided by national government. Mr Barroso's comments today prove that we have been absolutely right in arguing for common-sense legislation in the EU.

ENDS.