I was wondering if anyone else who wrote to their MEPs about the above EU directive has received a reply.
I wrote on 1st Nov to the South West MEPs. I have just received a reply from Giles Chichester MEP.
This is the text from his reply in its entirety:
Letter dated 10th Nov
Received 9th Jan
Dear Mr Bradshaw
Thank you for your letter of 1st November with regard to red diesel.
I used to be opposed to the idea of licensing leisure craft when I owned and sailed a yacht 30 and more years
ago. However when I see and hear about of the decidedly incompetent behaviour of people in charge of private
boats I am drawn to the conclusion there should be licensing as with cars.
So in turn I can see merit in trying to establish common standards throughout the EU particularly if it means
averting the risks boat owners from the UK can face on the continent.
Finally you surely don't expect me to be in favour of tax evasion. I think this issue of red diesel could be tackled
by the UK authorities thinking out of the box and for example getting farmers to switch to a system of having
the same diesel as everyone else but having to claim back the tax on what they use legitimately for farming purposes.
Yours Sincerely
Giles Chichester MEP
I wonder how many of his constituenents who use oil for domestic heating will be willing to pay the duty.
I live aboard my boat Sokai and continuously cruise The longest we have stayed in one place since moving on
board is 4 days.