20/08/07
NFU Scotland, in conjunction with NFU England and Wales and
the Ulster Farmers’ Union, has written to Alistair Darling
MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, requesting a cancellation or
postponement of the two pence per litre red diesel fuel duty
increase due to take place in October.
Jim McLaren, NFU Scotland President, said:
“This year’s exceptional weather has had a significant impact
on farm businesses. Some will have lost crops and the bringing in of
the harvest for the rest will result in much higher fuel bills. Greater
drying of crops is required this year to secure the harvest and with
the ongoing volatility in world oil prices, the amount spent by farmers
on red diesel will be high.
“We have formally asked the Chancellor to cancel or, at very least,
postpone the planned October red diesel fuel duty increase of 2 pence
per litre. In the past, increases in fuel duty have been postponed in
recognition of volatile world oil prices. With the substantial rise in
oil prices this year and the added cost burden faced by the agriculture
industry because of this year’s exceptional weather we hope that
Mr Darling will consider the cancellation or the postponement of the
October fuel duty increase.”
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