The EU has proposals to restrict any modification of cars from the original spec and already modified cars will become illegal.
The full details can be found here.
This is a long and wordy document with cross references to other documents and as such is typical of the EU in that it makes full understanding difficult.
Proposals similar to this have been around for a while and they won't go away without a fight. Each time one is announced, people complain and it goes quiet. Everybody thinks that's it. When the proposal is reannounced most people think it won't happen as the last one was defeated (or so they thought). Fewer protest each time until finally nobody protests and the deal is done. It's a bit like water dripping on a stone. At first the stone resists but is eventually worn down.
Don't think it won't happen.
I urge you, if you have any interest in classic cars to contact your MP and your MEP. If you have press contacts, please get them on board. This must be stopped.
According to research by The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs the UK market is huge and this doesn't take into account all the other car modifiers.
I've written to my MP and here is his reply. I have highlighted the most worrying comment from him. Basically once this is passed the UK Government have virtually no powers to change it. It must not be passed.
Thank you for your email. Having looked over the document link you sent and the contents of your email I do understand your concerns.
Most worryingly the European Commission appears to want to do this as a regulation (rather than directive) which would mean very limited scope for the UK government to do anything about its implementation once passed. This means that by the time this matter reaches the UK our MPs have no power to amend it (just one of the many problems with the EU!)
As such I have today written to the Europe Minister, David Liddington MP, and our Conservative MEP for the North East, Martin Callanan MEP, making them aware of this issue.
I will pass on to your what responses I receive (this can take around 6 weeks for the Minister) and we can then look at what further steps should be taken on your behalf and that of so many historic and modified vehicles owners.
I have also written to my MEP but as yet have had no reply.
Please, I urge you to join all those who have any interest in older cars, modified or not to spread the word (many are unaware of this) and protest to your MPs and MEPs.
I found out about this here where there is more information and a link to a forun discussing this serious matter
The full details can be found here.
This is a long and wordy document with cross references to other documents and as such is typical of the EU in that it makes full understanding difficult.
Proposals similar to this have been around for a while and they won't go away without a fight. Each time one is announced, people complain and it goes quiet. Everybody thinks that's it. When the proposal is reannounced most people think it won't happen as the last one was defeated (or so they thought). Fewer protest each time until finally nobody protests and the deal is done. It's a bit like water dripping on a stone. At first the stone resists but is eventually worn down.
Don't think it won't happen.
I urge you, if you have any interest in classic cars to contact your MP and your MEP. If you have press contacts, please get them on board. This must be stopped.
According to research by The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs the UK market is huge and this doesn't take into account all the other car modifiers.
- £4.3 billion overall value
- Nearly £1 billion in exports
- Over 28,000 people employed
- 57% of businesses are over 20 years old
- 850,000 historic vehicles
- 82% of historic vehicles are used no more than twice a month
- Historic vehicle are responsible for less than 0.24% of overall traffic
- 68% of historic vehicles are valued at less than £10,000
- 4.5 million person-attendances a year at events organised by FBHVC clubs
- 52% of traders expect their businesses to grow in next 5 years
I've written to my MP and here is his reply. I have highlighted the most worrying comment from him. Basically once this is passed the UK Government have virtually no powers to change it. It must not be passed.
Thank you for your email. Having looked over the document link you sent and the contents of your email I do understand your concerns.
Most worryingly the European Commission appears to want to do this as a regulation (rather than directive) which would mean very limited scope for the UK government to do anything about its implementation once passed. This means that by the time this matter reaches the UK our MPs have no power to amend it (just one of the many problems with the EU!)
As such I have today written to the Europe Minister, David Liddington MP, and our Conservative MEP for the North East, Martin Callanan MEP, making them aware of this issue.
I will pass on to your what responses I receive (this can take around 6 weeks for the Minister) and we can then look at what further steps should be taken on your behalf and that of so many historic and modified vehicles owners.
I have also written to my MEP but as yet have had no reply.
Please, I urge you to join all those who have any interest in older cars, modified or not to spread the word (many are unaware of this) and protest to your MPs and MEPs.
I found out about this here where there is more information and a link to a forun discussing this serious matter
RSS Feed
