EU Mobility Package explained in new FTA briefing paper

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has released a briefing paper on the main proposals of the recently announced European Commission’s ‘Mobility Package’

The package, comprising eight legislative files and various accompanying documents, has potentially huge implications for the transport sector - including proposals which would change drivers’ hours rules, tachographs, operator licensing and minimum wage rules for visiting drivers.

David Wells, FTA Chief Executive, said: “This is a complex set of proposals, and FTA has the breadth and depth of expertise not only to understand what the implications for our members will be, but also to get actively involved in continuing to shape new rules so that law makers recognise the impacts they may have on industry. This document will aid members and the industry in understanding the potential impacts.”

The briefing document makes clear why, even though the proposals are unlikely to come into law until after March 2019, the UK road freight sector still needs to pay close attention. Many of the proposals will affect the practicalities of how goods will move into and out of Europe from the UK. It may also be that, in the process of Brexit negotiations for an effective, frictionless trade deal and continued mutual access to our respective transport markets, the UK Government agrees to implement some or all of the proposals in domestic law as part of maintaining parity with EU standards.

“We are advising our members to plan that any – or even all – of these proposals could come into force in the UK, once adopted,” he said.

FTA will be discussing the proposals with its members in freight council meetings across the country throughout June, and taking the agreed positions to civil servants and ministers in Whitehall, as well as European Commission officials and MEPs in Brussels.

David Wells said: “FTA has had a permanent presence in Brussels for more than two decades to ensure members’ views are being considered at the heart of Europe.

“Europe will always be an important trading block, and therefore critical for the logistics sector. With Brexit looming, FTA is expanding its presence and influence in the capital of the European Union – not, as some might have anticipated, rolling it back.”