Avion et liquides: le Parlement demande un allégement de la loi

ALDE MEP Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who originally tabled a written question on the ban to the Commission said: "We have been calling upon the European Commission to ensure that the security measures in place are efficient, well balanced and implemented in a reasonable manner for passengers, airlines and airports. The measures restricting liquids aboard aircrafts do not seem to correspond to any of these criteria. The Commission has to come up with a better regulation. Exaggerations should not rule daily life of European citizens!" 

Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg is among those MEPs who want the liquids ban scrapped. "There is currently no scientific proof whatsoever that the ban on liquids in the hand-luggage of air passengers contributes to the stated goal…The measure creates an appearance of security and is more aimed at putting passengers' minds at rest. But if you cannot explain properly why the rule is there, you just have to put an end to it." 

But Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot defended the measure, saying that, while he was "aware of the inconvenience caused for passengers…events in recent months in the United Kingdom and in recent days in Denmark and Germany show that the terrorist threat in Europe remains real". 

He stressed that the liquids-ban regulation is the only instrument that Europe has at present to respond to the new threat represented by liquid explosives. 

"A blunt repeal would be a risk that I am not prepared to make passengers carry," he said, adding: "Nor do I wish to take the risk of exposing the aviation sector to the economic consequences of an attack, which would bear no comparison with the costs of the procedures that have been implemented to avoid one." 

He also stressed that the Commission was working actively to develop new technologies capable of detecting dangerous liquids. 

British Socialist David Martin agreed he was "slightly surprised at the ferocity of the attacks by some of my colleagues on this system". His colleague, Socialist Group Transport Spokesman Brian Simpson said Labour MEPs were concerned that MEPs were "going soft on terrorism" and "failing to protect the travelling public". 

"There is a problem with regard to transit duty-free products that are being confiscated at EU airports if passengers are flying to another EU airport. But this problem can be solved without repealing the existing legislation. To call for repeal...is showing a total disregard for the safety of passengers and completely ignores professional advice."