Sittings · Document
DRAFT OPINION (2024/2108(INI)) 2025-05-13
On the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Johan Danielsson
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Transport and Tourism submits the following to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on International Trade, as the committees responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| General remarks 29a. Welcomes the smooth implementation of the EU-UK TCA in the area of transport and the effective exercise of the mutually granted rights in this regard, maintaining effective transport connectivity since its provisional application in January 2021; |
Or. en
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29b. Calls on the Commission to continue its oversight of the implementation of the TCA and to explore ways to further integrate both markets in full respect of the TCA framework, based on reciprocity and preserving a level playing field; |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29c. Expresses concern about the increasing potential for regulatory divergence between the EU and the UK, which could create barriers to seamless transport operations and diminish the benefits of connectivity – for example, future updates to passenger rights regulations could create asymmetries in compensation thresholds for delays and protection for multimodal journeys, risking consumer confusion and undermining confidence in cross-border services; |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29d. Acknowledges the security benefits of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) but warns of potential transport disruptions during its 2025 rollout; calls for infrastructure readiness at ports such as Dover and Calais to be prioritised, alongside passenger awareness campaigns to prevent border congestion; notes that while EU citizens do not require traditional visas for short visits to the UK, they will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing EUR 12 from April 2025, adding an administrative step to cross-Channel travel; |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29e. Emphasises the importance of aligning EU-UK cooperation on military mobility with broader European priorities, including the completion of the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network and dual-use infrastructure upgrades; highlights that administrative procedures, regulatory differences and inadequate infrastructure continue to pose significant obstacles to the rapid movement of troops and equipment; |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Aviation 29f. Notes with satisfaction the smooth transition in the area of aviation safety, with good cooperation and sharing of responsibilities between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, particularly in terms of the validation of certification requests issued by each of the bodies; |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 g (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29g. Welcomes the bilateral agreements signed to date on all-cargo and passenger air services, guaranteeing continuous and seamless air connectivity between the EU and the UK; |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 h (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29h. Welcomes ongoing discussions in the Specialised Committee on Air Transport on the non-CO2 climate impact of aviation, and calls for sustained coordination in research, monitoring and reporting, to avoid future discrepancies in legislation; |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 i (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29i. Welcomes the Specialised Committee on Air Transport’s role in keeping both parties informed of efforts to regulate and incentivise sustainable alternative fuels (SAFs) for aviation, and recommends aligning initiatives to maximise sustainability benefits and avoid any loss of competitiveness; |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 j (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29j. Takes note of the ongoing debate regarding wet-leasing provisions between the EU and the UK, now that the latter has to comply with additional restrictions applicable to non-EU countries, and understands from an operational perspective the UK’s demands to streamline procedures in a post-Brexit context in order to cope with high seasonal demand; |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 k (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29k. Highlights, however, that these demands must be considered in the context of the current legal grey area surrounding intra- and extra-EU wet-lease practices, with a lack of clarity in regulation, oversight and enforcement creating the conditions for legal loopholes to be exploited to cut costs, undermine labour and social rules, and potentially put aviation safety at risk; |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 l (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29l. Strongly recommends that the Commission prioritise the revision of the Air Services Regulation1a, establishing clear and socially sustainable rules, oversight mechanisms and enforcement provisions on intra- and extra-EU wet-leasing, to enhance aviation safety and thereby mitigate the issues raised in the context of the EU-UK TCA while avoiding laying down guidelines in advance that may set a precedent; ___________ 1a Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1008/oj. |
Or. en
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 m (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Road 29m. Welcomes both sides’ commitment to progress work concerning data exchange between national electronic registers – including connecting the UK to the European Registers of Road Transport Undertakings (ERRU) – on (serious) infringements of road transport rules, contributing to the effective enforcement of TCA rules on road transport; |
Or. en
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 n (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29n. Welcomes the decision to use the Smart Generation 2 tachograph in newly registered EU and UK vehicles, to ensure a continuous high level of road safety and a level playing field on both territories in the carriage of goods by road; |
Or. en
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 o (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Maritime 29o. Notes the concern over potential shifts in shipping routes and activity to UK ports to avoid the cost of maritime emissions under the EU emissions trading system (ETS), and urges the Commission to monitor port activity in UK ports closely; welcomes, in this respect, the UK Government’s plans to expand the UK ETS to include the maritime sector, stressing the importance of aligning carbon pricing and monitoring frameworks to prevent distortions in port competitiveness and protect EU port workers; |
Or. en
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 p (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29p. Supports the Commission’s implementing decision1a to recognise, as of 11 October 2022, the UK system for training and certification of seafarers pursuant to Directive (EU) 2022/9931b, after determining that all training and certification requirements specified in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers had been satisfied; __________________________________ 1a Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1973 of 11 October 2022 on the recognition of the United Kingdom pursuant to Directive (EU) 2022/993 as regards the system for training and certification of seafarers, OJ L 270, 18.10.2022, p. 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2022/1973/oj. 1b Directive (EU) 2022/993 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2022 on the minimum level of training of seafarers, OJ L 169, 27.6.2022, p. 45, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/993/oj. |
Or. en
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 q (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Rail 29q. Notes that rail transport remains excluded from the TCA’s scope, reflecting the EU and the UK’s reliance on bilateral agreements; |
Or. en
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 r (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29r. Is concerned that despite bilateral progress, rail freight and passenger volumes through the Channel Tunnel remain far below initial projections; |
Or. en
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 s (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 29s. Further notes that rail freight arriving from Europe faces significant limitations for onward travel within the UK, as much of the British rail network is unable to accommodate standard European freight containers and wagons as a result of infrastructure constraints; |
Or. en