WRITTEN QUESTION P-0370/00

by Maria Sanders-ten Holte (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 February 2000)

Subject: Blockades by French lorry drivers

On 31 January 2000, blockades were set up by French lorry drivers at dozens of locations on the German, Belgian and Italian borders with France.

1. What can road-transport operators do in future to prevent damage to their economic interests when blockades are threatened, if alternative routes are not available?

2. What can the Commission do to prevent or limit damage to economic interests in the transport sector when blockades are threatened?

3. Can the Commission anticipate an active part that might be played by itself in providing information to professional organisations in the event of road blockades?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(29 February 2000)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission's attention to the serious economic impact on Community businesses of the border blockades imposed by French lorry drivers on 31 January 2000.

The Commission would like to stress that under Community law it is the responsibility of the Member States to take all necessary and proportionate measures to restore the free movement of goods in their territory when events of this nature occur. The Commission would also point out that it is for the Member States to pay compensation to individuals who have suffered as a result of violations of Community law for which these Member States are responsible.

Moreover, since the entry into force of Council Regulation No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States(1), the Commission has had a legal instrument which gives it the power to take rapid action in this type of situation. It should also be emphasised that this Regulation obliges Member States to inform the Commission of unforeseen actions by private individuals which might have a serious impact on the free movement of goods.

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that, with regard to the dispute in question, the French authorities sent a note to the Commission on Friday, 28 January 2000 in which they undertook to give their European partners as much information as possible and to facilitate the free movement of goods, whilst respecting the workers' right to strike.

Also under the above Regulation, on Monday, 31 January 2000 the Commission requested more information from the French authorities about the dispute and the measures which were likely to be implemented to restore the free movement of goods.

In their reply of 1 February 2000, the French authorities provided this information, pointing out that instructions had been given to the public-order authorities to set up alternative routes and to distribute the necessary information to those concerned. They also added that measures would be taken to allow any subsequent claims for compensation to be dealt with under Article L.2216-3 of the general code for local authorities.

The Commission wishes to stress that, at every stage of the procedure laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2679/98, it immediately makes the information which it receives available to all other Member States. This rapid exchange of information should enable these Member States to take the measures they consider necessary to inform their economic operators of the difficulties they might encounter on French territory.

(1) OJ L 337, 12.12.1998.