Its Rules of Procedure and work programme for the next 12 months will be agreed at a meeting in Brussels towards the end of June.

However, ICOMIA has published the EU Committee's mission and tasks.

Its mission is to monitor and influence evolving EU regulations that will impact on the boating industry; identify issues of concern to EU members and make appropriate representations in order to ensure that the EU benefits the recreational marine industry.

Its declared tasks are to monitor in Brussels, set up a forum for formulating industry policy on the EU, set up representation in Brussels, at the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and to pursue EU funding for projects that will benefit the industry.

"I'm delighted ICOMIA has agreed to establish a dedicated EU Committee, " commented Howard Pridding, executive director of the British Marine Federation (BMF).

"It ties in with the UK getting better representation in Brussels."