29 March Transport Council

Date: 01/04/1999

EU TRANSPORT ministers voted to delay the introduction of a planned new Union aircraft noise reduction law, which was due to come into force today (1 April), until 29 April to allow time for further discussions with the US on possible amendments. The planned ban on new aircraft equipped with 'hush kits', which reduce the level of noise produced in line with the requirements of international rules, has prompted furious complaints from Washington. The US argues that the move would hurt more than h1-billion worth of American-made aircraft and equipment, and Congress has threatened to retaliate by imposing a ban on flights to New York by Air France and British Airways' flagship supersonic aircraft Concorde.

OFFICIALS from both sides said they would “intensify” talks over the coming weeks with the aim of developing a common approach to the issue. “We will give the Americans the opportunity to find a solution,” said German Transport Minister Franz Münterfering after the meeting. US officials said they were pleased with the decision to delay implementation of the ban, adding that the proposed Concorde flight ban was “on hold” for the time being.

FRANCE, Belgium and Luxembourg declared their opposition to the European Commission's plans to open up the rail freight sector to a greater level of competition. Acting Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock proposed a package of measures last year which would give foreign companies access to national rail networks and ensure that rail operators were separate from the companies running the infrastructure. EU officials said that Greece and Ireland, which would be little affected, had also indicated that they were satisfied with the status quo. The strength of opposition to the proposals has severely dented hopes of an early liberalisation of the market “It is looking doubtful that much progress can be made in the foreseeable future,” said one official.

THE UK, France and Italy opposed the Commission's proposals to exempt companies which transport goods by a combination of road, rail and sea from weekend driving bans. The UK also argued against raising weight limits for trucks from 40 to 44 tonnes. Both the freight liberalisation plan and the combined transport proposals will be discussed again by ministers at their next meeting on 17 June.

THE Commission's proposals to extend the scope of the 1993 Working Time Directive to cover transport workers also ran into opposition from ministers from all 15 EU countries. Some argued against strict rules governing night work, while others insisted that it was impossible to agree EU-wide rules without the involvement of management and trade union representatives at the national level. Kinnock told ministers that the European Parliament would continue to insist that self-employed drivers should be included within the scope of any new rules agreed.

MINISTERS emphasised the need to address transport problems relating to the Millennium Bug. The German presidency said governments would have the opportunity to report on their preparations and “take stock” of the Union-wide situation at a conference on 19-20 May.