ETRC and MEP urge EU to focus on LAGs issue

Nicole Mezzasalma

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EU transport commissioner Jacques Barrot is asked to fast-track the recognition of security standards in third countries

European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) president Frank O’Connell and Irish MEP Seán Ó Neachtain met European Union transport commissioner Jacques Barrot earlier this month in Strasbourg to discuss transit passengers in Europe carrying liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) purchased at duty-free stores in third countries. O’Connell and Ó Neachtain called on the commissioner to introduce a fast-track procedure for EU recognition of the security standards of other countries to avoid confiscations, and asked Barrot to intensify his efforts to reach common ground with the US government on the LAGs issue.

Ó Neachtain said: “This is a very important issue for Ireland as Aer Rianta International [is] based at Dublin airport and is the third-largest provider of duty-free products in the world, with airport shops in Europe, Russia, the Balkans, the Middle East, the US and Canada.”

According to the MEP, commissioner Barrot said he wants to “secure an agreement on these issues in a speedy and practical fashion”.