02 February 2007
Dear all,
Re: update on red diesel action
Unfortunately this week the red diesel for pleasure craft was mentioned on VRT
radio.
Nevertheless that we agreed to act for the sector a word was taken on air.
I do not know who took this initiative but regret deeply 2 aspects:
- The person in the interview took the word for the sector while we all know
that boating owner and handler associations as well as the bilingual boating
press agreed on the same writing to our Minister Reynders that there was one
coordinator for this action.
- The sector agreed to keep the issue out of the mass media as part of our
strategy.
- The person in the interview referred to a law from 1 January. This person
clearly doesn’t know the details as anybody can show a published adjustment
of the law in the Belgian journal.
May I insist by this writing especially in the context of the coming boat show that you
insist on your side and pass the message to keep the red diesel out of the mass media.
Our strategy still keeps the road; the maximum we can obtain depends totally of our
success to keep the issue out of the mass media.
If you know who made the interview, we kindly ask you to insist on the fact that you
have a coordinator for the sector on this issue and that further public initiatives only
result in negative consequences for the whole sector.
At the moment our government is still trying all they can to postpone to the limit the
implementation of the regulation, further to prepare a long delay on the transition
period if they can’t postpone any further the implementation.
So even today there is NO intention to forward for publication a change to the
law. We will keep you informed when this will change.
I’m at your disposal for further details as usual, and will be present on the boat show
the opening day, Friday from afternoon and the second Saturday.
May I recommend that you also insist to your customers and members to keep
carefully by hand the proof of latest fuel invoice and if possible of the fuel history.
For boats touring this season out of Belgium we will look with our government
contacts how we can keep these people out of discussions.
With thanks and at your service
Ben Eeman 055-210595 , 0475-412882 and 02-2842619
UK red diesel reversal worries boaters, industry associations
By IBI Magazine
Last week's rejection by
the European Commission of the UK government's application to renew
that country's derogation on red diesel for recreational boaters has
met with an outcry among industry associations, charter companies
and even some members of Parliament. As of January 1, 2007, all
diesel used for private boating purposes is likely to be taxable at
the same rate as road diesel. The ruling will effectively double the
existing price of red diesel to around £1 per litre.
The EC did, however, leave an option for creating a separate tax
rate for marine leisure fuel that would create a hike in diesel
prices, but not a doubling. The European Commission has also
rejected similar applications from Belgium and Malta.
The British Marine Federation's executive director Howard
Pridding told Motor Boat & Yachting magazine that the
decision "will have a huge adverse impact on the UK marine
industry."
Local media near the popular cruising destination, the Broads,
also said that the ruling could "deal a blow" to the charter
industry there. Ken Gaylard, chairman of the Broads Hire Boat
Federation, told the website EDP24 that the decision could
ultimately erode profits or increase the cost of holidays. Gaylard
said that his group would also be looking at whether boatyards could
claim exemptions as commercial operators. However, Jamie Campbell,
vice-chairman of the Broads Tourism Forum, felt the impact would be
less significant, saying the cost of diesel was a tiny part of the
cost of owning a motor cruiser.
The diesel application rejection also drew swift and sharp
reactions in the House of Commons. Financial Secretary John Healey
told the House of Commons in a heated exchange with Northern Isles
MP Alistair Carmichael about the rejection. Carmichael has been been
active for years in trying to ensure the subsidies on diesel
remained. The chairman of the Shetland Marinas, Piers and Boating
Clubs Association (SMPBCA), Bobby Hunter, said the change meant yet
another tax on people living in rural Britain. "In a community where
boats are an integral part of society, it is yet another tax being
put on us from a government that really doesn't think too much about
rural and remote communities," he told the Shetland Marine
News. Carmichael had told Healey that the fight for keeping red
diesel might not have been lost had the secretary more "backbone".
Healey told the Commons that he was well aware that the
derogation permitting the use of red diesel in Britain is highly
valued by private boat owners and users. "We put the strongest
possible case to the Commission. We prepared that case in close
cooperation and with contributions from many of the organisations
affected. We could have done little more to press the case," he
said. "I spoke personally with the Commissioner and have written
personally to the Commission on this issue. There is no further
stage in this process now."
Carmichael continued: "Private boat users have been the victim of
New Labour prejudices. They clearly thought that they were dealing
with a few rich people on their gin palaces. The opposite is true.
This change will serve to exclude many people on low incomes from
enjoying boat use."
But all news media noted that the impact of the ruling will
probably not take place immediately. Some believed that prices may
not go up at least until June.
(11 December 2006)
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BRON: By IBI Magazine
Waarvoor onze dank!
Het bestuur,
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