Farming: Budget appeal over soaring fuel prices

NFU Scotland and the Road Haulage Association (Scotland) yesterday pitched an appeal to the UK government to reduce the burden that record fuel prices and associated taxation are imposing on their industries.

The move was made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, asking him to address fuel costs in tomorrow's Budget.

The three-point call to the Chancellor asks him to scrap any plans to increase fuel duty next month, asks that he support to the development of a fair fuel duty stabiliser and looks for commitment to introduce a reduction in fuel duty in all remote areas of Scotland.

Union president Nigel Miller said there was a need for immediate action on fuel because it was at the centre of the whole economy. "As farmers and food producers, our members are reliant on haulage to farms and crofts and we need to deliver our livestock and produce to the marketplace and the shop shelf," he said.

"The fact that our fuel prices and levels of taxation are now amongst the highest in Europe is undermining the efficiency and competitiveness of our whole food chain and if that is not addressed now then it will damage these areas in the long term."

Phil Flanders from the Road Haulage Association pointed to the constant increase in fuel prices as having a "serious destabilising effect right across the economy"

He added: "We need some respite and a positive signal from the government on fuel issues would bring some stability to the many hard pressed businesses out there."