Mr President, Madam Vice-President of the Commission, we welcome an integrated approach to transport in which adequate use is made of all the types of transport available. If the problems of increasing traffic on the roads are to be solved, the European Union has to be pro-active in promoting intermodality. Pro-active, above all, means that the authorities should use the market to deal with the questions raised, not that the authorities should saddle the market with difficult regulations and added costs. In this proposal, this line of approach has not been followed completely, and that is why, initially, I had my reservations about a number of sections of the Commission’s proposal and the rapporteur’s proposal. However, now that the proposals have been adapted by means of amendments in the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism, my greatest concerns have been lifted. In their choice of loading units, the participants in the market have to be free to find the best possible solution for each type of goods and mode of transport. At the same time, we should at all costs avoid a situation in which owners of intermodal loading units are faced with unnecessary obligations and high administrative and implementing costs. I do not think it necessary to use tax benefits or subsidies upon purchase to support the introduction of the European intermodal loading unit. The Commission has itself stated in its proposal that it does not want to make its use compulsory, but wants to leave its commissioning to the market. The introduction of subsidies and tax benefits runs counter to this idea. Technical specifications in which the characteristics of the intermodal loading units are described must be examined critically. Accordingly, it is important for the essential requirements that are prescribed not to contravene the international ISO standards. This on account of the fact that considerable use is made of units which are manufactured in accordance with international standards and which are also used outside of the Union. I am pleased that the rapporteur shares my concern in this matter, and that this is also being expressed in the text by means of an amendment. This also applies to adjusting the inspection period of the European intermodal loading units by equating them to those of the ISO container, which is frequently used in international traffic. The introduction of new intermodal loading units, though, does not yet guarantee intermodality. In addition to the current diversity, the poor quality of the rail services on offer constitutes an important barrier to the growth of intermodal transport. Internal shipping should also be included more in the discussion. As already stated, the improvement of transport requires quality legislation in which consideration is given to the scope of the market and which, by correct timing, can be introduced on time in an adequate and harmonised manner. That is, in fact, why I am of the opinion that the introduction of the digital tachograph should be shelved for one year so that legislation can meet the requirements to which I have referred, but lack of time has made it impossible to discuss this urgent matter with the Commission this week. This House still finds it difficult to actually get something done about it.

Political group: PPE-DE