Application is in then...

[rickp]

details.

Rick

[Whitelighter]

Still smacks of doing just enough to say 'not our fault' when the derogation is removed [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[djefabs]

Better late than never [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[SimonC]

Exactly.

With the application now in, now really is the time for anyone who hasn't already to contact their MEPs to highlight the importance of this issue.

There are full details of the easiest way to contact your MEP, and facts and figures you can use to support your case here

I know there is a certain amount of red diesel fatigue on this forum at the moment, and even a little bit of a backlash at times, but the facts remain that people are going to be forced out of the hobby they love, people are going to lose jobs in marine-supported businesses, and the net effect will be a loss to this government's coffers.

Even if your message to your MEP is just two lines long, the fact that you've expressed the importance of the issue is what matters. No politician - in Europe or otherwise - can properly represent you unless they know what's on your mind.

Simon

[rickp]

Who votes on this - MEPs or the Council of Ministers?

Rick

[SimonC]

The decision will be proposed by the Commission, and ratified by the Council of Ministers.

Even so, it's easier and, I think, more effective, to lobby via MEPs. Although they won't have a vote on the issue, they do have direct contact with the commissioners involved.

Most MEPs who have supported the campaign have immediately written to the commissioner responsible for this decision, and I think that's a good start.

[dragoon]

I did as suggested. Here was my little piece - I know not everyone will agree with the petrol versus diesel argument, but I consider it valid.

Cheers,
Paul


Dear MEP,
I don't know if you are aware, but the future of the derogation of diesel for pleasure boating purposes is currently in question.

This essentially allows pleasure boaters to take advantage of lower tax diesel (often called 'red diesel') for boating purposes. The loss of this derogation is likely to cause significant decline in the local boating industry and will have knock-on effects in terms of jobs losses, all with a final result of reduced money to the government (not vice-versa).

Additionally come into play safety and green issues since the reduced taxation on diesel has led a predominately diesel based motor boating community in the UK. This is a good thing - diesel is very safe for boating use (highly reliable and non explosive, unlike the petrol counterpart). Also the use of diesel engines are better for the environment than petrol equivalents. However, diesel engines cost a lot more to buy than petrol, and the differentiation between the 2 fuels will be lost with the derogation going, and so it's likely that there will be much more petrol powered craft than diesel on the water.

An application has been submitted to Brussels for an extention of the derogation, but it's unlikely to be approved without support of MEPS like yourself. If you would like to see more details and supporting facts and figures, please consult the following http://www.ybw.com/mbm/redalert/blog...lert_blog.html

I hope the boating community can count on your support.

Yours sincerely,