Accelerating EU “green lanes” to ease flow of food during coronavirus pandemic

20 Mar 2020 --- The EU is one step closer to expediting essential freight and transport workers through “green lanes,” following the support from EU Transport ministers this week. Green lanes would give priority to the transport of essential goods such as food as well as medical and protective equipment, as suggested by MEPs and the European Commission. The call for the special routes among other proposed guidelines comes following several Member States’ implementation of national measures to close borders to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Completely closing down borders might seem like the safest way to protect our citizens, but we all depend on imports from other Member States to keep our supplies uninterrupted. Guaranteeing the unobstructed transport of essential goods such as food and guaranteeing an uninterrupted supply of vital medical and protective equipment, ensures that this crisis will not turn into a catastrophe. Installing so-called ‘green lanes’ is of utmost importance in the coming days and weeks,” says Petra de Sutter, the European Parliament’s Chair of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.

Already in Europe, industry stakeholders have begun voicing concerns about prolonged trade bottlenecks caused by tightened border control. Given that the agri-food supply chain is highly integrated and operating across borders, any blocks of supply and workers will inevitably disrupt business, European agri-food chain stakeholders emphasized in a joint statement.

EU Transport Ministers met in an informal video conference, convened by the Croatian Presidency to discuss flow of essential goods throughout the European Union. Guidelines for increasing flow of goods
The Commission indicated a list of actions in its intervention aimed at protecting the proper functioning of the Single Market. Guidelines published March 16 by the Commission include the free movement of transport workers, green lanes or corridors, flexibility for rules on driving and rest times, and pre-notification of measures to the Commission.

The Commission has said it is committed to showing all the necessary flexibility in relaxing relevant requirements. Member States were called on to do the same to reduce the strain on a sector in crisis, while enabling it to focus on its core tasks of delivering essential freight to the public.

While food supplies, including livestock, and medical equipment are prioritized, the Guidelines note that “no restriction should be imposed on the circulation of goods in the Single Market.” The document encourages Member States to constantly provision to “avoid panic buying and the risk of dangerous overcrowding of shops.”

The Commission also stressed that any Member State imposing restrictions on the transport of goods, transport workers and passengers should do so only for public health reasons. However, the Guidelines also note that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through food.

Food not shown to transmit COVID-19
“Experiences from previous outbreaks of related coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), show that transmission through food consumption did not occur. At the moment, there is no evidence to suggest that coronavirus is any different in this respect,” EFSA’s Chief Scientist, Marta Hugas affirms.

In addition to the panic that can be triggered through shortages of goods, stagnating freight can also be costly. Transport Committee Chair Karima Delli said that smooth border crossing and coordination between Member States would be essential to overcome this crisis.

The European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, echoed the importance of facilitating transit, saying, “It is time for concrete measures and strong coordination between Member States and we agreed to designate national contact points for enhanced coordination. I have asked that essential ‘Green corridors’ be established to preserve the free circulation of goods and people who need to cross borders.”

A step in the right direction
The Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU, represented by the Minister for the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butković, concluded that an important first step was made towards a coordinated approach and stressed the need to focus on containing the spread of the virus while work should continue in close cooperation among the Member States, the European Commission and the various stakeholders.

“We have to keep cross border transport of supplies flowing,” says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement. The support expressed by heads of state for the Guidelines on borders will facilitate measures ensuring that the flow of goods will continue in the EU.

By Missy Green