Associations in TIR wrangle
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by David Craik • The Freight Transport and Road Haulage Associations have been accused of unfairly forcing hundreds of pounds out of owner-drivers trying to join the TIR carnet scheme.
Gary flogger, a Suffolk owner-driver in general haulage, is furious that he has to join one of the associations before he can enter the scheme. He says that the cost of joining, up to £300, is the last thing owner-drivers need after the rise in diesel prices in last week's Budget.
Hogger needs a TIR carnet to begin a vital new distribution contract to Turkey. "They have a monopoly on this system," he says. "By paying a membership fee I am hit in the pocket before I have even started." Hogger wants a government agency to award TIR carnets. Gordon Linnington of the FTA's International Department says membership is necessary due to concerns over fraud and the need to keep tight controls.
lie stresses that hauliers can apply for a TIR carnet through the FTA and only have to join if the carnet application is successful.
The RHA says it has not received any similar complaints to Hogger's over the membership scheme.