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Facilitation and Security in Road Transport
Martin Marmy Mr. Chairman, Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, The representatives of the road transport industry, whose internal production process is carried out on public roads, are very well aware of the high requirements they must meet in terms of security and road safety. They also believe that, on account of the competition deriving from trade liberalisation in a globalised economy, logistic systems must remain efficient. Transport services provide the life-link between economic and social players. Today, this is particularly true of road transport, since it carries 85-95% of traded goods moved on land routes. This is why international trade procedures, particularly at borders, require special attention and targeted measures in order to maximise the use of the scarce political, financial and administrative resources available. Trade facilitation requires striking a proper balance between security and the protection of the budget, on the one hand, and the rapidity and efficiency of formalities required by shippers and transport operators, on the other. Allow me to recall, as an example, that freedom of goods transit was made an obligation for WTO members through Article V of the GATT a long time ago. However, so far, this principle has not been properly or universally implemented in respect of the free movement of road vehicles transporting these goods. Furthermore, the complexity of the procedures for the issuance of visas to professional drivers of commercial vehicles has also long been another major obstacle to trade. In addition, many countries subject heavy vehicle traffic to a multitude of traffic restrictions and prohibitions which constitute obstacles to the development of international trade. Ladies and Gentlemen, With regard to security, let me recall the activities of organised crime in international road transport. The following issues are of particular concern for the security of transport and trade:
As to threats to trade and transit: Organised crime penetrated for profit the two transit systems most widely used in Europe in the early 90s. This was due to a major malfunctioning of customs procedures following the disappearance of internal borders within the EU and the creation of new borders and procedures in all the countries which had regained their independence. These developments resulted in a reduction in the efficiency of customs procedures and security in international transport penalising not only the road transport but above all the international trade. Based on our experience, the fight against organised crime and customs fraud ought to be focussed on:
As to illegal immigration: As long as Governments do not cooperate with their private sector partners to protect honest trade by concentrating the available resources on the organisers of illegal immigration networks and the recycling of their profits, it will be very difficult and even impossible, to attenuate the growth of this illicit activity. As to the transport of dangerous goods by road: Safety in the transport of dangerous goods by road has long been governed by the UN ADR Agreement. The road haulage industry recognises, however, that after 11 September 2001, there is a need to "re-evaluate the situation" to focus even more on the security aspect of transport, in addition to the safety aspect. In this respect, the use of the TIR customs transit system for container traffic, including its application on multimodal itineraries, might provide a beneficial contribution to transport security. As to the theft of vehicles and cargo: According to an ECMT report, up to 1% of goods vehicles in circulation are stolen annually. This seemingly anodyne figure nevertheless implies that several tens of thousands of commercial vehicles are stolen, which results in an annual economic loss of over four billion Euros in the EU. In this context, too, the solution lies in strengthening cooperation between the authorities and the private sector. The task is to facilitate information exchange and to harmonise anti-theft legislation and techniques. Ladies and Gentlemen, In summary, it must not be forgotten that almost the totality of all logistic operations by road is carried out by responsible and honest citizens. This is why any efficient fight against organised crime, which only accounts for a tiny share of transport operations, necessarily calls for targeted action, which must mainly result from fruitful cooperation between the competent authorities concerned and the private sector which we represent. Our common objective is, on the one hand, to facilitate trade and transport by harmonising, in particular, the procedures and conditions of competition and, on the other hand, to unite our forces in sanctioning and excluding, without delay, the small minority of defrauders and criminals also active in international trade. To conclude in line with the statements of the previous speakers, let me express the fervent wish of the IRU that the willing cooperation demonstrated by this Conference at the highest level between the public sector, represented by the UNECE, the WCO and the OECD, and the private sector, acting in the supply chain, serve as an example to be followed by all, at the international and national levels. Thank you for your attention. * * * * |
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