Brussels, 24/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Members of the Parliamentary transport committee have misgivings about the liberalisation of cabotage in road transport. Two studies made at their request were presented to them on Tuesday 23 April, which draw up a rather gloomy picture of the market. Consequently, they would prefer to put a brake on the hypothetical goals of the Commission to deregulate cabotage, which certain member states expressed a wish to do during the most recent Transport Council in March. MEPs held to an exchange of views with regard to the issue of cabotage. Two studies illustrate poor implementation of Regulation 1072/2009/EC and the restrictions established on cabotage. Sharper competition has resulted from it, as well as a worsening in working conditions and lower salaries for drivers. EU enlargement has not been accompanied by a harmonisation of the markets of new and older member states. The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) took part in the hearing and expressed their opposition to any additional opening up in this market and argued for it to be maintained as it is for the time being. Their main demands were social and fiscal harmonisation, as well as application of legislation in force. This position was shared by a substantial number of Socialist and Christian Democrat MEPs. Werner Kuhn (EPP, Germany) was quite categorical that he would not support any further liberalisation without improved harmonisation and application of legislation. Saïd El Khadraoui (S&D Belgium) also highlighted the need for greater social harmonisation and stated that “social dumping must be stopped!” The next road package to be presented in June or July, will possibly tackle the issue of a review of the international transport of goods markets, as well as the question of tolls, according to a source close to the matter. Nonetheless, no clear timetable has been worked out yet and the results of an impact study still need to be analysed. (MD/transl.fl)