Concern that change in Red Diesel legislation could put jobs at risk

 Slieve Gullion Councillor Oonagh Magennis has spoke of her concerns that changes to the entitlement for red diesel will be another hit to struggling businesses and could potentially put jobs at risk.

The new legislation comes into force in April 2022. 

Cllr Magennis explained “The change to the entitlement won’t reduce emissions, it will increase revenue for the British treasury.

“Many businesses in the quarrying and manufacturing sectors are already struggling with increased costs of materials, this will only worsen the situation and could put jobs at risk."

From April only below are entitled to use red diesel:

• for vehicles and machinery used in agriculture, horticulture, fish farming and forestry. This includes allowing vehicles used for agriculture to be used for cutting verges and hedges, snow clearance and gritting roads
• to propel passenger, freight or maintenance vehicles designed to run on rail tracks
• for heating and electricity generation in non-commercial premises - this includes the heating of homes and buildings such as places of worship, hospitals and townhalls; off-grid power generation; and non-propulsion uses on permanently-moored houseboats
• for maintaining community amateur sports clubs as well as golf courses (including activities such as ground maintenance, and the heating and lighting of clubhouses, changing rooms etc.)
• as fuel for all marine craft refuelling and operating in the UK (including fishing and water freight industries), except for propelling private pleasure craft in Northern Ireland
• for powering the machinery (including caravans) of travelling fairs and circuses

Magennis said the emphasis should be on the British Government engaging with and supporting businesses to help them move away from fossil fuel dependency. “Instead of increasing the pressure on businesses, the British chancellor should pause this move and instead engage with the sector to support them in moving away from depending on fossil fuels. This would have a more meaningful impact in tackling our emissions and would ensure that it is not the workers who bear the brunt of our transition to net zero carbon." said the Councillor.

Cllr Magennis said she has had numerous queries from local farms and businesses around this legislation and they are voicing their concerns about the lack of support in moving to a more carbon neutral way of operating."