SCOTLAND IN THE EU
Today over 70% of legislation is directly influenced by decisions taken at EU level. It is obvious, therefore, that in order to protect Scotland's interests the nation's voice must be heard right from the outset of the legislative process.
Economic and financial affairs, employment, social policy, transport, energy, agriculture, environment - these are all policy areas in which EU legislation directly affects Scottish citizens. The right to travel and work abroad, cheaper air travel and lower mobile phone charges are all examples of how the EU has positively impacted on its citizens.
Although EU affairs are reserved to the UK Government, Scotland must comply with EU legislation incorporated into UK law in reserved areas and it is the Scottish Government's responsibility to implement EU legislation into Scottish law in devolved matters. Energy, fisheries, agriculture, the EU budget and justice and home affairs have been identified as the EU policy areas which are of vital interest to Scotland in particular.
Membership of the EU does not just mean that Scotland and its citizens must live by EU rules. The Union's aims to equalise the standard of living throughout the EU have had a significant impact on Scotland's citizens. In the period 2000 - 2006 Scotland received over £1.1 billion of structural funds from the EU. These funds support numerous projects in Scotland designed to boost standards of living and the economy of regions through social and cultural programmes, improved infrastructure and a greener, more innovative business environment. While there will be less funds available to Scotland in the coming years due to enlargement, EU funding continues to support a vast number of projects in the country.
When considering the impact of membership of the EU on Scotland it is also important to remember the benefits that were envisaged from the outset of the creation of the European Economic Community and the creation of the single market. As a member of the EU Scotland's businesses have access to a market of over half a billion consumers. The EU is Scotland's largest single trading partner with Scottish exports totalling more than £9 billion being sent to the then 25 EU member states in 2005. Around 300,000 jobs in Scotland are directly linked to trade with the EU. Continued participation in the single market is vital if Scotland's economy is to become more dynamic, innovative and successful.