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EU FLAG FORCED ON OUR FLEETS
Tuesday 25th November 2003
EU Flag Forced on our Fleets
Merchant fleets will be forced to put the European flag on the Red Ensign that identifies them as British, following a vote today in the European Parliament.
MEPs supported a Spanish amendment to a Commission proposal in the Transport Committee today that states that 'ships registered in a Member State shall display the emblem of the European Union, ie a circle of 12 gold stars on a square blue background, in a corner of their flags.' Conservative MEPs led calls to reject the amendment.
Timothy Kirkhope, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, said:
"This is another attempt to force the EU identity on Member States. There is no justification for the compulsory display of the EU symbol on the red ensign. This represents the first step towards having to display the full EU flag.
The Spanish have already tried to hoover up our fish stocks. Is this their attempt to enter our waters by stealth?"
