Criminal Legislation From EU.

More than half of all criminal legislation created in the UK last year was produced or influenced by the EU.

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice showed that in the year to May 2014, 129 of 280 new criminal offences came directly from the EU. A further 37 laws had “EU influence” – meaning Brussels had a hand in 59.3 per cent of all new British laws.

Matthew Elliot, chief executive of Business for Britain, said: “Red tape from Brussels is hurting business competitiveness, damaging jobs and weakening economic growth.

“The EU not only needs to stop passing absurd new rules that serve no other purpose than to keep the bureaucrats in Brussels in their jobs, but also throw out the mountains of regulations that have built up every year.”

Since 2010, the EU has created 1,153 new offences in the UK – more than double the 518 instigated in Britain.

Laws from the EU include the Olive Oil (Marketing Standards) Regulations, which decree how to label extra virgin olive oil and “olive oil composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils”. Fish Labelling Regulations state that “the equipment used to catch the fish” must be listed on relevant products Express.