Despite the announcement by the RYA, that the HMRC would trust the boating community to self certify its use of red diesel from Nov 1st it would now appear that this is not the case. The HMRC are not happy with boater self certifying whether the fuel is to be used for propulsion or heating/power generation and paying the appropriate level of tax i.e. expensive of extortionate. I understand that we may expect an announcement that a fixed proportion of the purchased fuel will be taxable at the lower heating rate. When will the RYA recognise the tragedy that is about to befall the leisure boat industry and the boater and start to use their influence (if any) with government to limit the tax increase on Red Diesel to the EU minimum. I think the alarming increase in the cost of fuel has rendered the “impact assessment” carried out by HMRC a totally out of date and useless. The current estimated cost of a gallon of diesel at £6.50 (plus the road fuel escalator tax increase due in October) may even be causing some concern to sailing members who hitherto have felt that their limited use would have little impact on their boating. If so please let the RYA know of your concern so that they may re-evaluate their decision not to lobby for the EU minimum tax.