Hauliers fear more French hijacks
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THE BRITISH TRANSPORT industry is pressing for firm assurances that there will be no repeat of the incidents last week in which meat lorries were hijacked by militant French farmers. Trade union leaders are warning of retaliatory action, writes ALAN MILLAR.
In last week's incidents, two British lorries were halted by members of the CDJA, the French young farmers' association, between Rouen and Alencon. Lamb carcases were removed and distributed locally, and the drivers were kidnapped and held prisoner for two days.
A third lorry, from Northern Ireland, was stopped on the Autoroute du Nord and had its load of sheeps' carcases and beef removed. An attempt was made to set it alight. While high-level representations between the British and French Governments ensured that the drivers were freed and also brought French assurances that compensation will be paid, the industry remains worried that there could be a repeat.
A Freight Transport Association delegation, led by directorgeneral Hugh Featherstone, was planning to raise the matter as a priority at a routine International Road Transport Union (IRU) meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
It is looking for some joint action by the IRU and French trade associations to ensure that there is less danger of a repeat of the action, and to ascertain whether representations can be made to the French Government to ensure safe transit of goods if French police do not interfere when farmers act.
Road Haulage Association executive officer Bob Duffy told CM that the French hauliers' association shared the RHA's concern about hijacks and had been seeking action for a long time from the country's interior and transport ministers. The hijack of British lorries came after several months of incidents involving Danish, West German, Belgian and even French lorries.
Mr Duffy said the RHA was advising its members that hijacks do occur occasionally, but added: "We are not saying 'don't go'.
"We are telling them they should contact their agents and the ferry companies' offices to get details of the best routes to take. On the whole, the police and people at the ports are helpful with such information," he added.
While the FTA and RHA are relying upon established diplomatic channels to resolve the problem, the Transport and General Workers Union has told the Government that failure to tackle the matter could lead to drivers taking retaliatory action.
National commercial group secretary Jack Ashwell told CM that the Union had written to Agricultural Minister Michael Jopling, warning that drivers would take action of the British Government does not match the French action with deeds.
He said the drivers were concerned that armed French protesters might maim or kill a driver in such an inflamed atmosphere, and wanted action taken before the farmers feel moved to mount another hijack.
Mr Ashwell suggested that "passive" action could be taken by British drivers to block a port. If the police tried to move the lorries, he believed that citizen's band radio could be used to pass word on to drivers outside the port and intensify the action.
"The lads are saying enough is enough," he added.