Keynote speech by Chairman at drones conference
5 March 2015
On 6 March 2015, Baroness O’Cathain will make a speech on privacy and security concerns regarding the civilian use of drones in the EU. This speech follows the publication of the Committee’s report, Civilian Use of Drones in the EU, on 5 March 2015.
- Speaking notes: Baroness O'Cathain, Conference on RPAS
- Report: Civilian Use of Drones in the EU (PDF)
- Report: Civilian Use of Drones in the EU (HTML)
The conference, “Framing the Future of Aviation”, held in Riga, Latvia, is being co-hosted by the Latvian Presidency and the European Commission. The Committee’s report touches on many of the topics to be covered at the conference, namely how EU action can support the development of a competitive civilian drone industry. Attendees include drone or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) businesses, civil aviation regulators and data protection agencies.
The Committee heard that there is huge potential for growth and jobs in this emerging sector: businesses across Europe are using small drones for photography, filming and surveying, and they can also be used to carry out dull, dirty or dangerous jobs, such as cargo shipping and search and rescue. Evidence given to the inquiry agreed with the Commission’s estimate that around 150,000 new jobs could be created across Europe from drone activity by the year 2050. But the report noted that for this potential to be realised, the safety of drone operations will have to be demonstrated and gain public approval.
The Committee found that current EU and UK legislation adequately covers data protection issues. However it recommends increased guidance on data protection and insurance requirements for commercial operators. In light of evidence that the media and police use of drones will increase, the report also recommends urgent public debate regarding acceptable civilian applications for drones.
The Committee’s report also recognises growing public concern over the use of drones by private individuals, with little knowledge of aviation rules. The report urges the Government and the Commission to adopt a raft of measures to improve safety and the enforceability of existing laws. These include:
- Developing a shared manufacturing standard for drones, such as the CE marking (kite mark);
- Creating an online database of drone operations to track and manage drone traffic. The Committee expects that commercial operators could register their drones on an online database or app in the near future, and that in the longer term it would encompass leisure users as well;
- Widening the application of geo-fencing technology, which limits flights over high risk sites;
- Creating guidance for the police to enforce existing safety rules.