LETTER: EU '˜red tape' has some benefits

EU '˜red tape' is designed to improve matters though some businesses may find it irksome.

The Birds and Habitats Directives have been shown to be generally successful in conserving wildlife (but haven’t stopped the shooting of migrating birds in southern Europe - a reason for pressing harder, not withdrawing).

The Common Agricultural Policy supports conservation on much farmland.

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I also like EU environmental protection (eg quality of river water and beaches), consumer protection and employment legislation.

Looking beyond ‘What’s in it for us?’ I support the EU because its predecessors brought peace and because former communist countries have committed to democracy and human rights to join it.

Britain’s long traditions in such matters are much respected. But Britain outside the EU would be much less influential. As John Major nearly said a few weeks ago ‘Ask not what the EU can do for Britain but what Britain can continue to do for the world through the EU.’ Putin would love the EU to be weakened.

George Challenger

Bakewell