Red Alert campaign blog

Mrs Diana Wallis, Liberal Democrat MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, has written to six Commissioners to support an extension to the red diesel derogation.

Mrs Wallis told MBM:

"You will recall that the UK government gave up the tax exemption for 'red diesel' in 2003. It was however granted a three year derogation during which it could still apply reduced rates. The decision to renew this time-limited derogation on 1 January 2007 is entirely up to the European Commission, which has already taken a negative position on the issue last June.

"I have written personally to Commissioners Mandelson (UK), Borg (Malta), Rehn (Finland), Michel (Belgium), McCreevey (Ireland) and Barrot (Commissioner for Transport), asking them to give strong support for renewal of the 'red diesel' exemption. As members of the European Commission, they have the possibility of arguing for this when the matter is discussed and the decision is taken there in December. However, I should add that individual Commissioners do not represent national interests and take no instructions from national governments."

If Mrs Wallis is your MEP, you can contact her at diana@dianawallismep.org.uk

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