21 March 2007

FARMERS FALL VICTIM TO THE ‘CHELSEA TRACTOR’ WITCH-HUNT

WELSH farmers are the victims of the Chancellor’s bid to boost his green credentials after he spared no thoughts for farmers and rural dwellers in today’s Budget, according to the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Gordon Brown announced that graduated vehicle excise duty (VED) rates for band G cars will increase to £300 a year in 2007-08 and to £400 in 2008-09.

This is a further knock for farmers who saw licence duty for their 4x4s increase by £20 to £190 less than a year ago. "A 4x4 is not a ‘Chelsea tractor’ for people working and living in the rural areas of Wales," insisted FUW President Gareth Vaughan.

"They are a necessity for farmers, they carry out a range of important duties on the farm from towing trailers to allowing farmers to reach otherwise inaccessible parts of land to look after their livestock.

"I still believe that the Chancellor should make a clear distinction between the people who use 4x4s to drive their children to school in central London and farmers who need a 4x4 to be able to carry out their daily work."

There was further dismay for farmers with the news that road fuel duties will rise by 2ppl in October with a further rise of 2ppl expected in April 2008.

"The price of fuel has soared in Wales over the past two years and this further rise will even make it harder for us to compete with our major farming competitors across Europe," said Mr Vaughan.

"The price of diesel in France is 74ppl whilst in Wales it is 93.40ppl. The figures speak for themselves, the higher price of diesel at UK filling stations is nothing short of scandalous," he added.

"The rise in vehicle excise duty coupled with the rise in road fuel duties further highlights that the UK Government has no regard for people who live in rural areas and depend on their own vehicles due to poor public transport. "Today’s budget announcements will be a hard pill to swallow for farming communities across Wales."

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