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I wrote to all the London MEP's and my local MP, and actually got a fairly positive response from (only) one of the MEP's below:
Thank you for your letter about the European Commission's proposal for
an EU Roadworthiness Testing Directive, which was published in July
2012. Many of my correspondents, like you, have been concerned about the
alarmist comments on this proposal that have appeared on some car
enthusiasts web sites. We want to reassure you that it will certainly
not be rushed into approval in its present form, to the detriment of
owners and users of historic, modified and low volume specialist
vehicles.
On the contrary, this proposal is very far from being agreed, despite
the fact that it has already been subject to extensive consultation. It
is certainly not within "8 weeks" of being decided! It will go through a
full Co-Decision procedure involving the European Parliament and all the
EU Member Governments. The proposed content will certainly be modified
extensively. It has many flaws and it is not at all clear that there
will be a majority of Member States in favour of any EU intervention in
this policy area. The UK has yet to take a position on it.
Within the European Parliament, review of the dossier is being led by
the Transport Committee, and 3 other Committees will have key roles. A
large number of UK MEPs will be examining the dossier and proposing
amendments. No work has yet started in Parliament. We would not expect
agreement before the end of 2013. You will be able to follow its
progress through the web site of the European Parliament, and also see a
live web cast of all the discussions. The full timetable, and the
appointment of the key MEPs on the file (rapporteurs) will be decided in
September. It is likely that there will be a public hearing at which the
case for amendments can be made.
Parliaments in Member States will also be able to give their opinions,
and the proposal will already have been sent to the Westminster
Parliament for a response. For your information, the "8 weeks" referred
to in your letter is the absolute minimum period within which an EU
proposal, under any circumstances, may be adopted after its transmission
to National Parliaments for examination. In this case, as we have
explained, the full examination procedure will be followed, with no
pressure on the timetable.
The UK Government is also very deeply involved through the Department of
Transport. They will have representatives in all the negotiations with
the European Commission which is already consulting stakeholders.
Conservative MEPs will take great care to ensure that sympathetic
treatment for historic and modified vehicles will be encompassed in any
final legislation. For several years we have been working with the
Federation of British Historical Vehicles Clubs, and their European
Federation, to respond to consultations that the EU has been having on
this proposal, and please note that we are very much aware of the
economic importance of the historic vehicle movement.
It will be important for the historic vehicle movement and the
specialist niche vehicle and kit car producers across Europe to examine
the details and make a considered case to amend the flaws in this
proposal. We are confident that MEPs will be very receptive to suggested
changes form experts in this area.
Yours sincerely,
Marina Yannakoudakis MEP, Conservative, London region
I responded saying many thanks for her reassuring reply, but suggested they source other forms of consultation outside of the historic/restoration based organisations, such as the NSRA, AACI etc...
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