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		Labour MEPs pile annual costs of up to £1.8bn on British industry Thursday 15 May 2003 Local Conservative MEP Roger Helmer has attacked Labour MEPs after they supported a vote on the introduction of compulsory environmental liability insurance. The proposal supported yesterday in the European Parliament, will mean huge costs to British industry. The Government estimates that this could be as high as £1.8bn per annum. The environmental insurance market is undeveloped, with uncertain risks. Compulsory financial security is opposed by the insurance industry and the British Government. The vote yesterday was passed thanks to the support of Labour MEPs. East Midlands Euro-MP Roger Helmer, said: "What a shambles. This proposal will do little to help the environment but will force huge costs on industry. This is a matter on which I have been lobbied hard by businesses. It is now down to the Government in the Council of Ministers to sort out this self-inflicted muddle. The Government must remove compulsory insurance and persuade its own MEPs that this is detrimental to British business." Conservative MEPs voted against the proposal.