Anna Sironini It took place today in Brussels a crucial meeting for the future of road transport between a delegation of FAI-Conftrasporto-Confcommercio and Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto. The delegation, led by President Paolo Uggè, brought to the attention of the Commission the main critical issues in the sector, which in Italy has 10.000 companies and 90.000 heavy vehiclesand which represents an essential pillar for the national economy, with 87% of the please transported by road.
At the meeting, held at the headquarters of the European Commission, also participated Pasquale Russo, president of Conftrasporto e Vice President of Confcommercio, and Carlo Massoletti, Confcommercio Head of EU Policies.
Paolo Uggè: «Concrete actions are needed now»
"We are satisfied, it was a fruitful meeting and we are confident that words will be followed by actions", he declared Paolo Ugge at the end of the meeting with Fitto. During the discussion, the delegation highlighted the main difficulties that the sector is facing, including the traffic restrictions , transition ecologica, often imposed without any real discussion with the operators.
One of the central themes of the discussion at Berlaymont Palace it was the right to free movement of goods, with particular attention to the limitations imposed from Austria. According to Uggè, these restrictions penalize Italian companies and violate the principle of free movement, putting the competitiveness of the European single market.
Another key theme was that of technological neutrality of ecological transition. «The current environmental policies, if not balanced with the needs of the sector, risk becoming a brake on the economy of the country", underlined Uggè.
The delegation also highlighted the unequal treatment between Italian hauliers e foreign operating in our country. An emblematic case is that of the Charter of Driver Qualification (CQC), whose management abroad appears simpler and more efficient than in Italy.
Industry representatives reiterated the need for more balanced and concerted policies, that do not penalize road transport in favor of other modes without a real discussion with those who work in the field.
FAI-Conftrasporto: «The EU Commission should listen to the sector»
FAI-Conftransport trusts that the vice president Thick can act as spokesperson for these requests at the European Commission, so that concrete measures are adopted to protect the sector.
«We reminded Brussels that during the Covid crisis our sector has guaranteed the continuous supply di beni essential for European citizens. Due to the conformation of the territory, it is unthinkable to ensure the delivery of goods without the road transportWe hope that the Commission will accept our proposals on crucial issues such as quality of the air, combined transport, driver shortage e digitization of documentation di transportation», concluded Uggè.