Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola will spend the coming weeks negotiating an exception for Malta and other island nations from proposed new EU rules that would force trucks to return home every eight weeks.
Dr. Mitsola believes the new amendments will add a disproportionate burden on local businesses and significantly increase carbon dioxide emissions.
Malta has already expressed concern about the rules, which form part of the EU’s so-called “mobility package”, as the government believes they threaten the competitiveness of countries like Malta.
Cyprus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Romania are also trying to scrap the new rules.
In December, a preliminary agreement was reached between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council on the mobility package.
The proposed new rules would see trucking companies provide a 45-hour paid rest period every three to four consecutive weeks at “the employer’s facility or drivers’ residence.”
Trucks will have to return to the company’s headquarters every eight weeks, in a move aimed at preventing transport companies from trying to register in other EU countries to take advantage of lower taxes.
The proposed rules will be put forward for a second reading in June, and in the meantime, interested MEPs can submit amendments.
A representative for Attrans told the Times of Malta that the new rules could cost companies between €500,000 and €1 million.
“I want to achieve a situation where Malta and other island states facing isolation issues are excluded from a controversial clause in the EU mobility package,” Dr Mitsola said.
“For Malta, Cyprus and even Ireland to some extent, forcing trucks to return to company headquarters every eight weeks would place a highly disproportionate burden on companies and distort the internal market that could indirectly favor companies located outside the islands’ jurisdiction.”
It also said that the requirement to return heavy vehicles every eight weeks contradicts the purpose of the Commission’s initial legislative proposals to reduce negative environmental impacts and the EU climate targets set by the Commission in the European Green New Deal.
This requirement will see a significant increase in the number of empty trucks on European roads which will subsequently lead to a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions, pollution and congestion from the transport sector, not to mention an increase in ferry crossings.
“It is not too late,” Dr. Mitsola said, adding that a vote on the amendments is expected in June. I have already spoken to businesses, members of the European Parliament from across the political divide and Maltese diplomats.
Meanwhile, the Malta Chamber of Commerce has also criticized the proposed new rules. She said returning trucks to base every eight weeks – or six times a year – would reduce each truck’s productivity by 30 days, with the trucks spending five days at sea each time.
“Imposing such requirements on carriers is too burdensome for those in countries geographically separated from the single market and located on the periphery of Europe,” said Chamber President David Xuereb.
“This measure would penalize Maltese operators unfairly and at disproportionate costs.
“It is extremely unfortunate that such an action was taken for ulterior protectionist motives, rather than the environment or actual benefit to drivers.”
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