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The FTA claims proposals to give transport firms greater freedom to move goods around EU states could lead to a "serious loss of business for UK hauliers".  James Hookham, FTA policy director, has criticised the plans - agreed by EU transport ministers earlier this month - that from 2014, trucks taking cargo from one EU member state to another should be able to make three extra trips within that country to pick up and deliver local goods there.

Under the proposals, foreign hauliers  would be able to sign contracts for regular work with UK companies, rather than doing ad-hoc jobs, which is what they are presently only allowed to do. However, as is the case under current cabotage rules, trucks would not be permitted to pick up cargo and take it back to their country of origin. The EU believes the plans will increase economic competitiveness and contribute to environmental targets by cutting empty running.

The proposals are due to be considered - and could be for-mally approved - by the Euro-pean Parliament in June. Hookham says: "The differential in fuel duty around Europe should be addressed before there is any relax-ation of cabotage rules. "We are very concerned about the proposals, which could lead to a serious loss of business for UK hauliers. "We will continue to lobby the Department for Transport and the EU to get them scrapped."

Peter Cullum, RHA head of international affairs, says: "It is hard to object to occasional connecting journeys to  match an inbound to an outbound leg. But three journeys a week, every week, will just allow foreign operators, who do not have to submit to our licensing system, to operate without too much pressure."