Interview with mega truck opponent Michael Cramer

19 Feb 2009. Interview with Michael Cramer, Member of the European Parliament and a vehement opponent of mega trucks, on the political situation on Brussels.

Mr. Cramer, you are a member of the European Parliament and well known as a vehement opponent of mega trucks. Would you please give us an insider’s view of the situation in Brussels. Who are the proponents of the longer and heavier vehicles in Brussels, the centre of political power in the EU?

Actually, the issue of allowing gigaliners has been answered politically: No to their EU-wide introduction while at the same time permitting member states to allow them in their own countries. It is surprising therefore that this issue keeps coming back onto the agenda. In the EU Commission, this is thanks to two eager officials who just will not give up. I do know whether this has anything to do with nationality, but the fact that they are both Dutch – with the Dutch being the most vociferous supporters of mega trucks – is possibly just pure coincidence. Of course, there are also a few large transport companies here that are pushing hard.

How do the pro mega trucks lobbyists operate?

It is all just about helping the environment, that is their mantra, which for example can also be found in the latest EU report. This is the only (pseudo) argument that can be found in the public domain. The real justification for introducing mega trucks is being kept quiet: maximizing profits for a few large transport companies at the expense of the public, which will have to bear the cost for infrastructure, accidents and damage to the environment. Not to mention the consequences for the competitors: small and medium sized transport companies will not be able to keep up and will therefore go out of business.

What is your estimation of the balance of power in the Commission, the Council of Transport Ministers and in Parliament: Are more people in favour of or against mega trucks?

The opponents are still in the majority, above all in Parliament and in the Council. But as the saying goes, a constant dripping wears away the stone, and that is obviously the strategy employed by the mega truck supporters. Therefore, we have to remain watchful and ensure that politics is not conducted via the back door.

The EU Commission published a report in January that recommends the EU-wide introduction of mega trucks, but it is very controversial. What do you think will happen next?

At present, no legislation on introducing mega trucks has been proposed by the Commission. As such, there is no acute danger. However, as I said: the lobbyists and the Commission have obviously not yet given up. But we in the Green party intend to remain in the European Parliament at the head of the movement opposing mega trucks.

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