RYA says availability of red diesel is key issue
The RYA has recommended that the Government allow boaters to self-declare their tax burden when low-duty diesel is lost in November next year.
This would mean diesel for leisure boats stays at a reduced rate, with boaters declaring and paying the additional duty periodically.
The RYA’s response to the Government’s red diesel consultation echoes that of the British Marine Federation, which was announced last week.
“Should HMRC choose a different system; where the supplies of red diesel would collect the duty on sales to recreational craft, then there could, we believe, be a detrimental effect on supply,” the RYA said.
The organisation’s Government affairs advisor Neil Northmore added: “Our overriding consideration throughout the red diesel debate has been safety; securing the ongoing availability of marine diesel throughout the UK.
“The self regulation system, we believe, offers the best system in terms of safety because it will safeguard the supply and availability of red diesel throughout Britain.
“We know that suppliers in remote or rural areas, such as Scotland and the south west of England, have indicated that they would not sell red diesel to private recreational craft because they do not want to be burdened with the cost and bureaucracy involved in recording every sale to private recreational craft.”
You can see the RYA’s response to the consultation, which has now closed, here.
