WRITTEN QUESTION P-3237/00

by Wilhelm Piecyk (PSE) to the Commission

(12 October 2000)

Subject: Distortions of competition in the European goods transport sector

As a response to the increase in fuel prices, especially diesel fuel, and the protests of HGV drivers, some Member States have been persuaded to give in to the demands of the transport industry and make financial concessions of various kinds. Measures range from a reduction in the tax on petroleum products and financial rebates per litre of diesel to the partial reimbursement of motorway toll charges or grants to reduce insurance premiums.

Those measures have resulted in substantial distortions of competition in the liberalised European goods transport sector which contradict the efforts to create fair conditions of competition in the single market. It is quite probable that they are not in conformity with Community legislation on state aids.

The Commission:

1. Does it take the view that unilateral national measures in the field of goods transport may be reconciled with the need for greater coordination of the Member States' economic policies following the introduction of the euro?

2. Does it take the view that the compensatory measures provided for in Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands with a view to reducing the burden on the respective national transport industries are compatible with Community law?

3. Is it prepared to initiate proceedings connected with these measures against those Member States for failure to comply with the treaties?

4. What does it intend to do in order to promote the approximation of the conditions of competition, the need for which has increased since the introduction of the euro, in the goods transport sector as well and to discourage unilateral national measures?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 November 2000)

1. The Commission is conscious of its obligation to ensure the coherence and co-ordination of national measures within the context of the common transport policy. It is therefore following closely the recent developments in all Member States. However, before deciding on the compatibility of national initiatives with Community legislation it needs to have full and reliable knowledge of them.

2. Accordingly, the Commission has already requested Belgium, Spain, France, Italy and the Netherlands to provide comprehensive information of all relevant national measures taken (or envisaged) in order to proceed with their detailed analysis and assessment. The Commission is also writing to the other Member States requesting similar information.

3. If the Commission concludes that the national measures in question are contrary to Community legislation, in particular the rules on state aid, it will follow the appropriate procedure defined in the EC Treaty.

4. The Commission keeps a continuous watching eye on Member States' activities to ensure that fair conditions of competition are maintained and enhanced, and that Community legislation is respected. In this context it has recently made proposals for strengthening the application of the social rules in road transport.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the Commission proposal for restructuring the Community framework of the taxation of energy products(1), which is still being examined in Council, aims at improving the functioning of the internal market through a convergence of the excise duties of energy products. Such a convergence is expected to lead to fairer conditions of competition between Member States.

(1) OJ C 139, 6.5.1997.