Restrictions on summer traffic cannot be applied to perishable goods

23/ 07/ 2020

According to the EBA member companies, there has been recently an increase in cases of stopping and banning the movement of trucks that carry perishable products, namely milk trucks and refrigerated trucks with finished dairy products. In July alone, there were more than six cases of such restrictions. Indeed, the movement of trucks with an actual weight of more than 24 tons and an axle load of 7 tons in the summer may be prohibited or restricted at air temperatures above +28 C °, because in the heat such vehicles can cause significant damage to roads or adversely affect traffic safety. However, these restrictions do not apply to the movement of vehicles carrying certain types of goods, including perishable ones. The relevant norm is provided in paragraph 35 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine №879. Despite this, companies face problems with the application of this exception in practice. Thus, the National Police forces trucks with perishable products to stop for a lengthy period, and local authorities do not consider business appeals to the law and do not assist in resolving this issue. According to the member companies of the EBA Dairy Committee, milk can be stored in a milk truck for no more than 10 hours, and dairy products - from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of transport by which they are transported. If these deadlines are exceeded, the transportation of milk and milk products must be disposed of under the internal corporate safety requirements of the manufacturers. In this regard, the European Business Association appealed to the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine and the State Agency of Motor Roads of Ukraine to provide clarification to all responsible authorities on the non-application of the traffic ban in the summer to milk trucks and refrigerated trucks with perishable dairy products. We hope that, with the assistance of the authorities, businesses will be able to resolve this situation quickly and prevent any delays in the delivery of perishable goods in the future.

Indeed, the movement of trucks with an actual weight of more than 24 tons and an axle load of 7 tons in the summer may be prohibited or restricted at air temperatures above +28 C °, because in the heat such vehicles can cause significant damage to roads or adversely affect traffic safety. However, these restrictions do not apply to the movement of vehicles carrying certain types of goods, including perishable ones. The relevant norm is provided in paragraph 35 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine №879.

Despite this, companies face problems with the application of this exception in practice. Thus, the National Police forces trucks with perishable products to stop for a lengthy period, and local authorities do not consider business appeals to the law and do not assist in resolving this issue. According to the member companies of the EBA Dairy Committee, milk can be stored in a milk truck for no more than 10 hours, and dairy products – from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of transport by which they are transported. If these deadlines are exceeded, the transportation of milk and milk products must be disposed of under the internal corporate safety requirements of the manufacturers.

In this regard, the European Business Association appealed to the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine and the State Agency of Motor Roads of Ukraine to provide clarification to all responsible authorities on the non-application of the traffic ban in the summer to milk trucks and refrigerated trucks with perishable dairy products. We hope that, with the assistance of the authorities, businesses will be able to resolve this situation quickly and prevent any delays in the delivery of perishable goods in the future.