USE OF REBATED FUEL BY AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORS

Early day motion 1463, tabled 24 June 2003 by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes that Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are increasingly targeting agricultural contractors for use of rebated fuel; further notes that agricultural contractors are expected to use duty paid fuel whilst travelling on-road to their place of work, before changing to rebated fuel for agricultural activities; notes that vehicles are barred from containing more than one fuel tank to be controlled by an external mechanism, and that contractors are expected to siphon their fuel tanks to conform to regulations; expresses concern that such practices have health and safety as well as environmental implications; recognises the increasingly important role of contractors within the agricultural industry as a whole, and that additional costs placed on contractors are bound to affect individual agricultural units which could push the industry into further depression; supports the Government's clamping down of the illegal use of rebated fuel by car owners; notes that article 8.2 of the Customs and Excise 'Fuel for Road Vehicles' (Notice 75, November 2002) states that any tractor involved in agricultural activity is deemed exempted as far as the use of on-road rebated fuel is concerned; and calls on the Government to clarify guidance to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to ensure a level playing field for agricultural contractors.

Signatures by party: Plaid Cymru 4, Labour 2, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 1.