Livestock row over empties
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by Juliet Morrison • Livestock hauliers plan to ask Brussels to stop two major Channel ferry operators from banning their trucks when they are running empty or carrying a general haulage load.
MO European Ferries and Stena Sealink are now refusing to take livestock trucks to Britain if animals were carried on the outward journey, Last year the two compa nies stopped transporting livestock destined for slaughter, saying they were unhappy about the animals' travelling conditions (CM 4-10 August 1994).
Now hauliers are furious about what they consider to be a second blow to their livelihoods.
The policies of other operators
• Eurotunnel is prepared to carry livestock hauliers' empties or general haulage backloads, so long as the trailers have been cleaned out after carrying livestock.
• Brittany Ferries will also take these loads: "It would be interrupting legitimate trade if we didn't," says the company. Gordon Gilder, managing director of Cheltenhambased Gilder Transport. is investigating whether he can take action through the EU to force the ferry companies to back down. "It's one thing banning livestock from ferries," he says, "but how can they turn away my trucks carrying paper or wine and accept another company transporting similar goods?"
Road Haulage Association livestock controller, Graham Houghton, agrees: "It could be a case of restraint of trade."
The RHA's livestock committee is to consider action against the ban.
P&O and Sealink say they could be accused of helping the livestock trade if they carried livestock hauliers' empty vehicles and backloads.