Euro call on food tankers
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BRITISH MEP Bob Battersby, is worried that not enough is done to prevent foodstuffs carried in tank containers from contaminated by toxic materials previously carried in the vehicle. being being same He has asked the EEC Commission what controls exist to prevent or control the dual use of tank-containers and to ensure that potentially dangerous substances are not introduced into foodstuffs or edible oils by transport in contaminated containers.
He is also concerned that identification markings on containers intended for hazardous materials are being concealed or removed when carrying other substances.
Great care is needed, especially bearing in mind that one small scratch on the non-corrosive internal surface of the container or its fittings can retain a dangerous quantity of certain toxic materials.
Transport commissioner Georges Kontogeorgis, was unable to provide any detailed answer to Mr Battersby's question "owing to the limited resources available for non-priority work".
He did, however, point out that measures already existed to prevent contamination during transport in both the wine and the milk sector.
There were also two international conventions "which may have a bearing on the problem" — the ATP (Agreement on the international carriage of perishable foodstuffs) and the ADR (European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road) — but neither of these contained special provisions on the points raised by Mr Battersby.
"Legislation on these matters remains largely within the national jurisdiction of the member states . . . detailed information can no doubt be obtained from the national authorities concerned," said Mr Kontogeorgis.