Poppy Appeal Facing Absurd EU Compliance Rules

Following the revelation that volunteers running RBL stands offering poppies during this year's Poppy Appeal will need to have a named EU compliance representative, a printed notice on stalls and a sticker on poppy trays with the EU representatives details present, South Antrim MP Robin Swann said:

“It is unacceptable that volunteers supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Northern Ireland are being forced to navigate unnecessary EU bureaucracy simply to give out poppies.

“The idea that volunteers need EU compliance paperwork and stickers just to raise funds for veterans and their families is absurd. Quite clearly, poppies pose no threat to the EU customs union - common sense must prevail.

 “I have tabled a motion in Parliament calling for this to be rectified urgently and I am urging Ministers to work with the Royal British Legion and the EU to remove these obstacles.”

Mr Swann has urged MPs from across the House to back his motion which reads:

"That this House recognises the great and invaluable work of the Royal British Legion and its volunteers in delivering the internationally recognised Poppy Appeal; and calls on the Minister for Veterans and the Minister for the Constitution and European Relations to work with the Royal British Legion and the European Union to remove the unnecessary requirements placed on those selling poppies and other commemorative materials in Northern Ireland, including the need to appoint an EU representative to handle compliance and safety issues for products distributed, sold or given in exchange for donations, to display a printed notice on or near stalls at Poppy Appeal events, and to affix EU representative address stickers to all poppy trays used during the appeal, as they are currently required to do, so that the Government in its actions fully supports all those who support the Poppy Appeal."