Permit veto
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THERE WILL be no increase in EEC haulage permit quotas for 1976, This follows a veto by Germany at a meeting of the Common Market Transport Ministers in Brussels last week.
There was a proposal from the Commission that the permit quota should be doubled to 4,726 for 1976, and with the exception of Germany the partners agreed. A German counter-proposal limited the increase to 30 per cent, but this was unacceptable to the remaining eight. So the 1975 figure of 2,285 will apply again next year.
There was German support, however, for Britain, Ireland and Denmark on the 10-tonne axle weight limit. These four countries opposed an Italian proposal (CM last week) for the 10.5-tonne limit with a five per cent upward tolerance. This would have allowed an upward limit of 11.25 tonnes. They also opposed an 11-tonne alternative with a seven per cent downward tolerance. The Germans said they could not afford 1,000 million Dm to strengthen their roads and bridges to accommodate heavier vehicles. The question was remitted to a committee of permanent representatives for further consideration. They will also consider the harmonisation of goods vehicle taxation.
The Council agreed on one item during their 14 hours of meetings; the bracket tariff system for inter-Community goods transport by road is to be extended for a further year from January 1. During 1976 the Ministers will be asked to approve the introduction of preference tariffs for implementation on January 1, 1977, replacing the obligatory tariffs.
The Council of Ministers also discussed changes in the draft Second Social Regulation—for example, on productivity schemes—and the possibility of vehicles equipped with EEC tachographs being exempted from the 450 km (281-mile) limit, but no decisions were reached.
These and other items were remitted to the Commission for possible action.