Brussels, 05/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Following a spate of attempted attacks using booby-trapped parcels sent by plane from Greece and Yemen, the European Commission has said it is against too stringent measures being imposed on freight controls. “The threat is a serious one, but we should not bring in overly harsh measures born of distrust” to strengthen freight security, Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said at a press conference on Friday 5 November, following a meeting in Brussels with European and US air security experts. “I don't want measures to become a burden for airlines and airports. We need to take a rational, proportionate approach. That's what the (air freight) sector is asking for,” he went on. The experts had been asked to identify weaknesses in freight and parcel security in airports. Concrete recommendations will be put forward on 2 December at the meeting of transport ministers. At the request of German minister Thomas de Maizière, the issue will be discussed by EU ministers in Brussels on Monday 8 November. While no decision is expected at this meeting, Germany may very well offer proposals. In all 14 booby-trapped parcels, most addressed to EU leaders, were sent from Athens at the start of the week. Greece suspended international mail for 48 hours and five EU countries - Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands - have put a provisional ban in all freight from Yemen until 8 November. Germany has extended this measure to include passenger flights. “60% of parcels are transported on board airliners,” Kallas said, nonetheless concerned by the “temptation to bring in stringent measures quickly”. (B.C./transl.rt)