European Adults 3 to 1 Against EU Oversight of Ports

STRASBOURG, France, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

On the day the European Parliament debates controversial plans to regulate EU ports, a new survey reveals that the majority of adults from across six major European countries prefer their own national governments to be responsible for overseeing the activities of commercial sea ports.

The survey conducted by independent pollster ComRes covered Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland, and shows 66% think that national governments where the ports are based should be responsible for overseeing the activities of commercial sea ports in EU countries, against just 22% who think the European Union should be responsible. 

Katharine Peacock, Managing Director of ComRes, said: "A clear majority of people across each of the six countries think that national governments should be responsible for commercial sea ports within their borders, not the EU. Given the widespread importance placed on the contribution of sea ports to national economies, it is notable that despite some variations between countries, there is broad consensus that sea ports should remain the remit of member states rather than Brussels." 

The Parliament will vote on the regulation tomorrow, Tuesday 8 March.

To view the results of the ComRes Survey, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/prnehost/ComRes_EU_Survey.pdf

Notes to Editors 

About ABP 

ABP is the UK's leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo.

ABP contributes GBP5.6 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 84,000 jobs.

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About the ComRes Survey 

ComRes surveyed 4,506 adults aged 18+ in six EU member countries, Britain (2,000), France (500), Germany (500), Spain (500), Italy (500) and Poland (500), between 19th and 26th February 2016. Data for each country were weighted to be representative of all adults aged 18+ in that country. In the overall figures, the larger number of responses in Britain is weighted down to be equal to those in each other country. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Data tables are available on the ComRes website, http://www.comres.co.uk .

Contact:

Gareth Lewis
Communications Manager
Associated British Ports
Tel: +44-(0)20-7406-7814
Mob: +44-(0)7739-104945
Email: gdlewis@abports.co.uk