WRITTEN QUESTION E-0347/00

by Jaime Valdivielso de Cué (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 February 2000)

Subject: Trade

French lorry drivers started a protest including, among other things, blocking the most important roads in France. This behaviour constitutes a violation of one of the principles of the European Union the free movement of goods and is affecting Spain in particular, since its products have to pass through France.

Can the Commission explain what steps it will take to ensure the free movement of goods in the European Union?

What sanctions does it envisage imposing to punish such behaviour?

What compensation is envisaged for the businesses which have suffered?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(27 March 2000)

The Honourable Member has drawn the Commission's attention to the serious economic impact of the border blockades imposed by French lorry drivers in recent weeks.

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 held to be responsible.

Moreover, the entry into force of Council Regulation (EC) 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) provided the Commission with 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 of 31 January and 1 February 2000, the French authorities sent a note to the Commission on Friday 28 January in which they undertook to give their European partners as much real-time 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 concerning the dispute and the measures which were likely to be implemented in order to restore the free movement of goods.

The French authorities provided this information in their reply of 1 February 2000, pointing out that instructions had been given to the law enforcement 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 would like to draw the Honourable Member's attention to the fact that the blockades set up during the recent disputes were lifted in a relatively short time compared with other occasions in the recent past. The Commission believes this is certainly due in part to the implementation of Council Regulation No 2679/98 and the steps taken by the economic operators involved.

(1) OJ L 337, 12.12.1998.