A report by UK Conservative transport spokesman Jacqueline Foster on the safe use of remotely piloted aircraft systems – or drones – for non-military use has been overwhelmingly backed by the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.

The report, the first ever by the European Parliament to deal with civil drones, seeks to ensure that any regulation on their use takes a risk-based approach, without creating unnecessary burdens for the industry.

National rules on drones exist or are being developed in a number of EU countries but there is currently no EU-wide regulation.

Mrs Foster’s report stresses the importance of ensuring that new rules help rather than hinder the development of new drone technologies, whilst ensuring that safety is paramount.

The North West MEP and Deputy Leader of the UK Conservative delegation said: “Drone technology is developing rapidly and offers numerous potentials, whether for a farmer checking crops or power companies checking the safety of electricity cables.

“With over two and a half thousand civil drone operators, Europe is leading the world in drone development so I am keen to ensure that the EU takes a flexible and light-touch approach to regulation.

“I am delighted that the committee comprehensively backed my report, which stresses the importance of taking a case-by-case approach to regulation, whilst ensuring that safety is always the top priority”.