by our Brussels correspondent • France will seek to limit
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UN drivers' working time when it takes over the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers next January.
Speaking at Monday's meeting of the EU . transport ministers in Brussels, French Transport Minister Bernard Bosson said total working time should be regulated throughout the FU, as it is in France. At present only driving time is covered by EU law: the French want this extended to include loading and unloading, refuelling and maintenance.
At the same meeting the n-ansport ministers instructed the European Commission to coin
pare the professional ability requirements for truck drivers throughout the EU with a view to harmonisation, "if need be". Harmonisation, which is strongly opposed by the UK, would include mandatory pre-entry vocational training, inhouse training and the training on the carriage of dangerous goods.
• The list of safety checks included in the new EU directive on the carriage of dangerous goods will not be mandatory, according to an agreement reached by the EU's transport ministers.
The directive, which has yet to be examined by the European Parliament, will be formally adopted at the beginning of next year.