FUW urges Chancellor to halt fuel duty rise

The Farmers’ Union of Wales president today urged Chancellor Alistair Darling to postpone the impending fuel duty increase, set to come into force next Monday (1 October).

The 2p increase, which will take the price of diesel to more than £1/litre, would have a huge impact on the price of all goods, Gareth Vaughan warned the Chancellor.

Stressing the extreme economic pressures the agricultural industry is under due to the foot and mouth outbreak, he added: “The government should show they fully recognise this major issue and postpone this totally unnecessary increase, even at this late stage.”

“This has effectively curtailed trade at the busiest time of the farming year. As many farming businesses generate the bulk of their incomes at this time, the foot and mouth restrictions are jeopardising the viability of many livestock farms.”

Mr Vaughan has asked for the increase to be postponed indefinitely, adding the Freight Transport Association (FTA) feared the increase would inevitably impact the whole population.