NEW rules proposed by the European Commission to do with fair trading practices are complex and unnecessary, according to one of the region's MEPs.

"EU proposals for complex new laws on fair trading must be subject to proper impact assessment," said Malcolm Harbour, MEP in Strasbourg last week.

"I am very concerned that the Commission is rushing ahead with a new proposal without examining the practical consequences on business, and the real benefit for consumers."

Mr Harbour said the Commission had produced "scant evidence" of the improvements its proposals would deliver, which were intended to "simplify and improve" regulations.

"Consistent enforcement of existing laws by all member states would probably achieve the same results without the need for complex rules at European level," said Mr Harbour.

"The Commission must define the problems its wants to solve and then look at all the options available without rushing to pull the levers on its law-making machine."