Anger as farmers gritting roads warned 'don't use red diesel in your tractors or you will be fined'

Farmers have today been warned they could face fines if they grit snow-blocked roads using tractors powered by red diesel.
HM Revenue and Customs has issued guidance to the National Farmers' Union urging them not to use the reduced-tax fuel when gritting.

The move has been criticised with protesters claiming it could stop farmers reaching neighbours stranded in the deep snow.

Under current rules they can only grit roads if using tractors powered by white diesel - the standard fully-taxed fuel for trucks, vans and cars.

Farmers are entitled by HMRC to use red diesel in their tractors on their own land or on public roads to clear routes of snow to allow feed deliveries or milk collections.
But if intending to spread grit on these cleared roads as a preventative measure, they must use white diesel, meaning farmers must drain tractor tanks of the red fuel.

Geoff O'Connell, a parish councillor in Belford, Northumberland, said farmers were furious over the guidance.
He explained: 'Doesn't anyone at HMRC realise that we are experiencing a national emergency, one of the worst outbreaks of Arctic weather for decades?

'Our farmers are doing their level best to feed their stock and get their produce to our supermarkets whose shelves have recently resembled those in Zimbabwe!

'Are farmers supposed to plough, then be unable to grit, sand and gravel their driveways to prevent further drifts because their tractors run on red diesel?
'Or are they supposed to let it snow over once again before re-ploughing the following day?

'To suggest that they return to their farms to drain fuel tanks to re-fill with fully taxed white diesel before carrying out any other, sometimes lifesaving, ploughing activities for their friends and neighbours is unforgivable, heartless and totally impractical.'

Brenda Jackson, who helps run a large farm in Northumbria, said: 'The rules just seem ridiculous.

'In this day and age red tape has overcome common sense when farmers can't go out and help grit the roads because their tractors are using red diesel.'

Peter Garbutt, the NFU transport and inputs adviser, said: 'The use of red diesel is an extremely valuable concession that agriculture has from HMRC and is restricted to the operations detailed by HMRC

'In relation to farming, the focus is on the use of rebated fuel for agricultural purposes.

'However, there are also clauses which allow snow clearance for access.

'This may be on the farmer's own tracks or on the public highway to clear the route for such things as feed deliveries or milk collections.

'We have seen many rural roads kept open throughout this period of bad weather by the efforts of farmers as free access to farms is essential to keep feed for animals coming in and food for people going out.'

A spokesman for HMRC admitted: 'We aim to be as flexible as possible in these unprecedented circumstances.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1242790/Anger-famers-gritting-roads-warned-dont-use-red-diesel-tractors-fined.html

Its things like this that piss me off. the farmers are just tryin to do somethin good and right away the government wants to tax em.

Agreed. I can understand wanting to get all your tax money, but like the guy said, its a national emergency. What do you want more? Cleared roads, or tax money.

That's ridiculous.


Dad uses red diesel in everything he owns. From the semis, to the tractors, to the combines.

thats it..... i think its about time for farmers to go on strike..... 2 weeks, and the national government might have to rethink their stupid ideas

johnboggs21 wrote:

Its things like this that piss me off. the farmers are just tryin to do somethin good and right away the government wants to tax em.

merlin5577 wrote:

Agreed. I can understand wanting to get all your tax money, but like the guy said, its a national emergency. What do you want more? Cleared roads, or tax money.

1993GMCSierra wrote:

That's ridiculous.


Dad uses red diesel in everything he owns. From the semis, to the tractors, to the combines.

batty1214 wrote:

thats it..... i think its about time for farmers to go on strike..... 2 weeks, and the national government might have to rethink their stupid ideas

Agreed!!!!!!!

That is just crazy.

Sometimes I wonder about the goverment and this is one of them times.

OK Lets just turn the table for just a minute..

Are we paying these Government officials the big bucks to run our country? or to fight these petty little fights?

All just because a law was made and it wasn't thought throw well enough to consider these other possibilities. ie: grit, sanding.

If it's the farmer's road? His property? LET HIM DO WANT HE WANTS WITH HIS FUEL. If he is doing public roads? And turning a profit? Then I understand the other (nonfarmers) logging a complaint.

KEEP TRYING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. eventually you'll get it right.
A metaphor for a politician's life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0b0-hoU1k&feature=player_embedded