Red Alert campaign blog

Lucas (South-East): opposes derogation

Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for the South-East, rejects the extension of the derogation on environmental grounds.

A spokesperson for Dr Lucas told MBM:

"Caroline appreciates that you as an individual, and indeed many others, are having a positive affect on the UK's waterways, tourism and economy through your passion for boating. She is particularly aware of the impact that an increased red diesel duty will have on those who live on narrow boats or use them as a source of income. However, the very real need to cut CO2 emissions means that Caroline is taking a very strong line on fossil fuel taxation. She regrets that individuals such as yourself may suffer as a result but believes that the long term benefits are too important to ignore. It is also worth pointing out that she has received letters from other constituents that are boaters urging her to oppose the derogation because it has led to an increase in the number of craft that are designed inefficiently for speed. She will, therefore, be opposing the UK government if it attempts to extend the current derogation.

"Caroline suggests that those boaters that wish to promote green ideals could switch to using a bio diesel, rather than reverting to a petrol engined craft, and thus saving themselves money if a marine fuel duty derogation is abolished. This would also have the added benefit of helping to support the renewable fuel industry in the UK."

MBM thanks Dr Lucas for her response.

While we agree with Dr Lucas that it would be good to see more environmentally friendly motor boating, at the moment the difficulties of buying biodiesel in a marine context makes it impractical for most boaters. Like Dr Lucas, we hope that biodiesel's suitability will improve over the coming years, and it is hoped that by the end of an extended derogation from the EU, the environmental alternatives to conventional diesel will be far better developed.

If Dr Lucas is your MEP, you can contact her at caroline.lucas@europarl.europa.eu

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