Blocked supply chains and badly treated essential transport workers, from inside or outside the EU, will hinder Europe’s fight against the pandemic.

IRU has renewed calls to promote the use of Eco-trucks to boost transport decarbonisation, including harmonising rules for cross-border operations. This simple and cost effective measure could cut CO2 emissions by more than 13 billion tonnes between now and 2050. 

Three weeks after the end of the transition period following the UK’s departure from the EU and its customs union after 47 years, hauliers are already bearing the costs of the new post-Brexit border rules. 

The EU Council, meeting yesterday to discuss COVID-19 measures, has endorsed IRU’s strong call to keep borders open for essential goods transport across Europe.