CLECAT calls on Commission to reject a call from Nordic road freight operators to suspend cabotage
In a reaction Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT, said; 'the objectives and views of the logistics industry, the freight forwarders, appear to differ with those of the road haulage industry. For the latter, it appears the focus is on creating a level playing field; for the freight forwarders and logistics industry it is about implementing measures that improve the overall efficiency and quality of road freight services, without adding to the burden of bureaucracy associated with regulating an industry, and that can be delivered without increasing the costs of road freight services.'
Ms van der Jagt continued: ‘Cabotage is representing a very small percentage of the market. If national road freight interest groups feel threatened by lower cost operators moving freely into their markets, they would be better to market the difference in service standards that could be achieved by a user choosing a national operator over one from another, perhaps distant, Member State.'
CLECAT agrees that there are issues with the enforceability of rules and to better regulate certain aspects of the current regime, combined with creating a level playing field and would encourage Member States and the Commission to deal with this without suspending the current rules.
CLECAT continues to support the removal of restrictions on cabotage. Last year Vice-President of the European Commission Siim Kallas announced that the Commission will undertake a review of the market situation of road freight transport on road user charges, social and safety legislation, transposition and enforcement of legislation in the Member States, with a view to further opening road transport markets, in particular to eliminate the remaining restrictions on cabotage. CLECAT looks forward to the final report of the High Level Group which is expected to release its recommendations on the key steps that need to be taken in this area.
For more information please contact:
Nicolette van der Jagt
Director General
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CLECAT – The European Voice of Freight Forwarders and Logistics
Rue du Commerce 77
B-1040 BRUXELLES
Tel + 32 2 503 4705
Email: info@clecat.org
Web: http:/www.clecat.org