USERS of agricultural tractors, light agricultural vehicles, and agricultural material handlers across East Lancashire, can now use red diesel under the new rule changes.
The changes, which only apply for gritting public roads, follow the positive response to a public consultation by HM Revenue and Customs.
Previously, only vehicles constructed, or adapted, solely for gritting roads were allowed to use red diesel for gritting purposes. This restriction prevented farmers using their tractors, and other agricultural vehicles that are ordinarily fuelled with red diesel, to respond quickly to adverse weather conditions.
Hedvig Ljungerud, HMRC’s deputy director for transport taxes, said: “These changes show that HMRC recognises, and responds, to the needs of rural communities.”
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