RYA and industry representatives meet HMRC to discuss red diesel situation
by Loretta Spridgeon, RYA 23 Nov 2018 20:34 UTC
20 November 2018
Court of Justice of the European Union rules against HMRC over red diesel © RYA
Following the ruling by the European Union Court of Justice against the UK's use of red diesel by private pleasure craft, representatives from the boating community and boating industry – the Royal Yachting Association, British Marine, the Cruising Association, the Inland Waterways Association – met with HMRC officials on Tuesday, 20 November to discuss the implications of the Court's decision and evaluate the UK's response.
The meeting was extremely informative and productive, and the continued support of the UK Government is welcomed.
In effect, following the Court's ruling, the expectation of the European Commission is that the UK must stop allowing the use of red diesel for the purposes of propulsion of a private pleasure craft and must therefore switch to white diesel.
The UK is required to provide a response to the Commission by 22 December 2018, setting out how it intends to bring the UK into line with the European Directive on fiscal marking of gas oils and kerosene, as well as a timeframe for achieving this.
It remains the position of all the boating representative bodies that a change to using white diesel would create insurmountable problems for boat users and the industry.
All the boating representative bodies will therefore be providing evidence of the practical implications to HMRC officials to inform the UK's response to the Commission in the hope that we can jointly develop a practical and affordable solution in a realistic timeframe.
The RYA will continue to strive for the continued availability of diesel for the leisure boating community. Should you have any difficulties with red diesel abroad, please contact the RYA's Cruising, Legal and Government Affairs team via or 023 8060 4232.