U.K. Faces Flood of Cases over Breaches of EU Law

The European Commission is pursuing dozens of legal cases against Britain for breaching European law in areas ranging from toy safety and tractor emissions to fresh garlic imports from China, The Telegraph reported Monday.

The commission is taking legal action in almost 50 different cases in which the U.K.’s government is accused of not following directives and other legal agreements, The Telegraph said.

If the U.K. coalition government fails to address the allegations made in the infringement proceedings, the cases could end up in the European Court of Justice, with the possibility of fines being imposed, The Telegraph said.

Details of the legal challenges were obtained from the U.K. Cabinet Office under freedom of information laws, and are likely to prompt fresh debate over Britain’s relationship with Europe, The Telegraph said.

The list of cases lays bare — for the first time since Prime Minister David Cameron promised a referendum on EU membership — the breadth of legal constraints that membership places on Britain, The Telegraph said.

Source: Moneymarket