Proposed EU directive calls for air and road haulage toll

A PROPOSED new EU transport directive could add significantly to the cost of exporting goods from Ireland to Europe.

The “Eurovignette” directive, to be sent by the European Commission to MEPs for consideration, aims to make transporters liable for the “cost to society” of their operations.

The costs to be taken account of would include those arising from CO2 emissions, road crashes and congestion.

The proposed directive suggests that a new toll of a few cent per kilometre should be levied on air and road haulage companies to ensure they “internalise the full external costs”.

The proposal forms part of a commission plan to create a shift from air and road freight to rail freight, which is considered more environmentally sustainable.

The commission has also expressed concern that some governments are using road tolls as revenue-generating mechanisms.

It particularly mentions Germany which, because of its geographical position close to the centre of the European Union, makes about €1 billion a year in profits from tolls, the commission estimates. As the tolls are paid in a large part by foreign registered-hauliers, it considers this unfair.

But the proposals for a new directive are being resisted by MEPs from Ireland, Spain and Portugal. As representatives of member states on the geographical periphery of Europe, they claim the extra costs would be onerous and would be passed on to consumers.

Ireland West MEP Jim Higgins is among those who have pointed out that a few cent per kilometre amounts to a lot in terms of return trips in thousands of kilometres.

Mr Higgins also fears the new levy would add to the cost of exports, which he claims is a particularly chilling prospect following recent announcements of job losses in the regions affected.

In Brussels next week he will seek backing from the European Parliament’s transport committee to oppose the proposals when they come before the full parliament in Strasbourg in March.