Europe and international
The Department is involved in a wide range of EU and international work covering issues from transport safety and security through to emissions from international transport.
This work is crucial to deliver the Department’s domestic objectives – we cannot deliver objectives including supporting national economic competitiveness and growth, reducing transport’s emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and better safety, security and health without effective international engagement.
As a lot of the Department’s domestic regulations begin in the EU there is also a link to the Better Regulation agenda. The Department is committed to ensuring that we regulate only where absolutely necessary, our regulations and the ways we enforce them are fair and effective, and any burdens from regulation are kept to a minimum. So it is important we engage early and effectively in the EU to ensure the best outcome for the UK.
European Union
Many areas of domestic transport policy originate in the EU as proposed legislation or regulations. So it’s important that the Department is engaged with EU Institutions and other Member States to ensure the best outcome for the UK.
DfT Ministers attend the Transport Councils and speak on areas of UK interest when necessary. DfT officials work closely with members of the EU Commission, the European Parliament and officials in other Member States to develop transport policy.
International
Many decisions which impact on the UK’s domestic policy are determined in international fora, whether arising from EU legislation or from negotiations in a UN body. Therefore, it is crucial that the Department understands when, where and how it needs to engage internationally, is fully appraised of particular contexts it is operating in and works within a coherent and comprehensive international strategy.
