Brussels, 16/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Court of Auditors is recommending that the Marco Polo programme be discontinued. This programme seeks to shift road freight to the railways, inland river ways and short distance sea routes. Following an audit of eight Marco Polo I (2003-2006) and eight Marco Polo II (2007-2013) programmes, the court highlighted a significant number of shortcomings in this European programme. Marketing was particularly deficient and targets were not met or data was unavailable on them; administrative costs were too high and some service providers had been taking advantage of a windfall effect. Even without European funding, they would have ensured the transport of freight. The court is therefore recommending that the Commission proceeds with an ex ante impact assessment, to work out whether it is worth continuing with this project. A Commission communication on Marco Polo has already highlighted deficiencies in the programme (see EUROPE 10846). (MD/transl.fl)