European Commission
united-kingdom

Belfast, 20 March 2008

Cross border traffic penalty enforcement on the way                     

The European Commission has unveiled a proposal designed to implement an EU-wide approach to the cross border enforcement of traffic offences. The proposed directive is in response to concerns about the difficulty of enforcing traffic offences committed by drivers not resident in the country where the offence was committed. It is often the case that such offences evade prosecution because of the difficulty of identifying the driver or the registration address of the vehicle. It is intended that four types of offences will be covered by the legislation: speeding, drink-driving, failure to wear a seat belt and not stopping at red lights. The proposed directive will not harmonise traffic laws throughout the EU as it will be the traffic law in the country where the offence was committed that will apply. A European network for the electronic exchange of data on traffic offences is planned as a means of implementing the new rules. Subject to the approval of the directive by EU governments and the European Parliament, member states will have one year to transpose it into national law and one further year to set up the mechanisms for the transfer of electronic data on motoring offences. The European Commission is of the view that the adoption of an effective system of cross-border enforcement of traffic offences should help to reduce accidents and make an important contribution to reduction of deaths on Europe's roads. Some 47,000 people were killed on Europe's roads in 2007. For further information, see MEMO/08/168.

IP/08/464

Increase in milk quotas from April 2008                                  

EU agriculture ministers have approved the European Commission's proposal for a 2 percent increase in milk quotas beginning on 1 April 2008 to meet growing demand both within the European Union and on global markets. The increase, a total of 2.84 million tonnes, would apply on an equal basis to the 27 Member States. It does not prejudge the ongoing review of the dairy market in the Health Check of the Common Agricultural Policy, where the Commission has suggested a gradual increase in quotas before they expire on 31 March 2015.

IP/08/455

Intelligent Energy 2008 Call for Proposals

The 2008 call for proposals under the EU Intelligent Energy Europe programme has been published. A budget of €45 million will be made available, supporting up to 75% of eligible project costs.  For further information, go to http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/call_for_proposals/index_en.htm. 

Greek Icon Exhibition in Derry

The Gordon Gallery in Londonderry is hosting a month-long exhibition of Greek icons in association with the Panhellenic Society of Iconographers. The exhibition will be on public display from 12 March to 12 April 2008. Further information at www.gordon-gallery.com.

For information on any of the above items, please contact Catherine McShane on 028 9024 0708 or email catherine.mcshane@ec.europa.eu.