UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass says controversial new EU rules on pilots’ maximum working hours , which all UKIP MEPs voted againstin Strasbourg, could potentially put lives at risk.

The West Midlands MEP, who is a member of the Transport and Tourism Committee at the European Parliament, has this week pledged to support pilots who fear EU rules on maximum working hours could compromise passenger and flight crew safety.

Pilots from 36 countries took part on October 5 in a Day of Action, in a bid to highlight their concerns.

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) claims fatigue is now a factor in 10 to 15 per cent of all air accidents and ‘pressure on pilots is growing.’ BALPA says the new EU rules, set to be introduced in 2012, will see an end of an individual country’s ability to set their own higher standards, as currently happens in the UK.

BALPA secretary Jim McAuslan has written to UK Transport Secretary Lord Adonis asking him how Westminster is going to ‘meet its 2006 promise to maintain the UK standards which are now threatened by EU laws’.

In a press statement issued by BALPA this week, Mr McAuslan said: “At the beginning of this year the scientists - some of the most noted fatigue experts in the world - presented their report which concluded that the EU rules were indeed unsafe.

"The UK has a choice. Bring the rest of Europe up to its standards or join a drive to the bottom. This is a defining moment in how passengers will be protected.”

Supporting the pilots UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass said the EU’s plans should be resisted here in the UK which already has stricter standards in place.

“Again here it is clear EU interference is not welcome and indeed pilots fear lives could be put at risk by the EU’s plans,” said Mr Nattrass.

“We already have strict guidelines in place to safeguard flight crews and passengers. The EU says it is safe for pilots to fly for 14 hours at a stretch during the day and for almost 12 hours during the night but here in the UK we already have stricter, therefore safer, regulations in place.

“If the UK have better standards then leave them in place and this will attract travellers who prefer safer flights.The implementation of EU regulation will make British air passengers less safe," he added.