Transport operator: mutual recognition of diplomas, free establishment

1997/0029(SYN)
In adopting the report by Mrs Maria BERGER (PSE, A), the European Parliament approved the Commission proposal with amendments. The amendments adopted stressed, in particular, with regard to the good repute of the persons concerned, the need to underline the importance of combating fraud in the Community transit procedure and the transport of live animals and, in assessing whether there was evidence of repeated minor offences, to take into account the number of journeys carried out by the undertaking concerned. Parliament also improved the text by rendering the good repute requirement for natural persons more stringent: under Parliament's amendment, this requirement would not be satisfied not only if natural persons had been convicted of one serious criminal offence (which prevents them from working as hauliers) but also if they had been convicted of certain repeated minor offences, including offences under the Community transit procedure and in connection with the transport of live animals. Another amendment specified the knowledge which the persons concerned must possess. (They must have a thorough knowledge of the Community and common transit procedure and the procedure under the TIR Convention in all their details; be familiar with computer systems relating to the transit procedure and, as soon as the transit procedure based on paper documentation is replaced by procedures based on new technologies, have a thorough knowledge of these in all their details; be familiar with anti-fraud measures in the field of the transit procedure; be familiar with all fraud-related provisions of the administrative, civil and criminal law of the Member State of origin; be familiar with the role and function of the UCLAF.)�