BIEK Shows Understanding for Farmers and the Transport Industry

The federal government must involve companies more effectively in decisions that economically burden them. The economy feels unheard and excluded by politics. This is reflected in the protest actions announced for next week by the agriculture and transport sectors. Although the Federal Association of Parcel and Express Logistics (BIEK) will not participate in the actions, we can understand the frustration of the affected companies.

(Berlin) Constantly new politically mandated burdens make it difficult for companies in the parcel industry to achieve political goals such as the ecological transformation of the economy or social objectives. “Political decision-makers must not forget that securing economic existence is paramount: poorly regulated companies that exit the market can contribute neither to tax revenues nor to job creation, especially for low-skilled workers,” says BIEK Chairman Marten Bosselmann.

Additionally, the exchange with politics is currently very opaque, and the formal involvement of the economy in political processes leaves much to be desired. The consultation periods often last only a few days and do not comply with the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries, which speaks of a “timely or early” involvement.

Specific burdens that restrict companies in the parcel industry include:

• According to the coalition agreement, a double burden from tolls and CO₂ prices should be excluded. This promise has not been kept: the double burden was introduced by the 3rd Toll Amendment Act.

• The CO₂ price was supposed to be raised from 30 euros/ton in 2023 to 40 euros/ton in 2024. In fact, it will now be raised to 45 euros/ton.

• The transition to low-emission electric drives for commercial vehicles was to be supported by a funding program, as electric vans are significantly more expensive than conventional vehicles. The funding was launched in 2021 with the first call for proposals. In 2024, no new funds will be available, and there is no medium-term planning security. The period covered by the funding so far corresponds to barely one investment cycle for the acquisition of commercial vehicles. This is too short.

• The existing economic burdens on companies are not acknowledged. Rather, the situation is exacerbated by further regulatory requirements from the federal government. These include the introduction of tolls, which is accompanied by increased personnel costs and a shortage of skilled workers, the maintenance of unequal competitive conditions in the parcel industry in the new Postal Act, and unnecessarily detailed reporting and documentation obligations, also in the new Postal Act.

Relief Instead of More Regulations

“Instead of enforcing more and more regulations, the federal government should relieve the parcel industry,” says Marten Bosselmann. “Only in this way can companies advance economic development and meet the needs of consumers.” The following measures would be helpful:

• The double burden from CO₂ prices and tolls must be ended. There are several options for this: For example, the CO₂ price underlying the toll (currently 200 euros/ton) or the energy tax on fuel can be lowered.

• We need long-term funding for the transition to electric drives for commercial vehicles at the level of the funding from 2023.

• Companies affected by political processes must be actively involved earlier. Longer consultation periods must be granted for association participation.

• Reporting and documentation obligations should not disproportionately increase bureaucracy and prevent companies (especially small and medium-sized) from focusing on their core work.

Ready for Constructive Dialogue

The BIEK and the companies in the parcel industry, which reliably supply nine million commercial and private recipients in Germany with shipments every day, are always available for constructive dialogue.

Photo: © Loginfo24