Cabotage threat from Continent by David Craik • A number
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of French and Dutch operators have warned Steven Norris, director-general of the Road Haulage Association, that they plan to take over the UK food distribution market after the changes to cabotage regulations from July this year.
The threat to UK jobs and businesses was announced by Norris at the annual Scottish RHA conference in Peebles last week. Norris said continental operators not burdened by the high level of fuel-duty rates of UK operators will have a competitive advantage and will set up bases in the UK after July when hauliers have freedom to drop and pick up loads anywhere within the EU.
However, he denounced the recent direct action carried out by UK hauliers protesting about fuel-duty increases and worried about the effects of the lifting of cabotage on their businesses.
"I do not believe in just protesting," he said. "To have a solution to the problem ready as we do with the Essential User Diesel Tax Rebate (EUR) is far more effective than holding up a banner."
He added that a letter has been received from the Government acknowledging that "there is a competition issue" with fuel duty.
Norris said he hopes for a consultation paper on the EUR (CM 9-15 Oct 1997) to be announced at next year's Budget and for the EUR to be implemented a year after that.
See Comment, page 6.