Motor tax should be ‘rural-proofed’

THE revised measures for calculating vehicle registration and motor tax, announced by Environment Minister John Gormley, must not disadvantage farmers or rural dwellers, Macra na Feirme president Catherine Buckley has warned.

Ms Buckley said the system of taxing larger vehicles for leisure and non-commercial purposes at a higher rate had merits from an environmental perspective, as these emit more CO2, but in rural areas the measure could hit drivers who have no transport alternative.

“Farmers, because of the nature of their business, generally require larger vehicles in order to pull trailers, travel over rougher terrain and access areas that might not be suitable for smaller cars,” she said.

Ms Buckley said it was important any measures which might be introduced would be “rural-proofed” as rural dwellers sometimes have no choice but to opt for larger vehicles.

Rural dwellers do not have the same public transport opportunities as those living in urban areas.

Additionally, IFA environment committee chairman Tom Dunne said the Government’s failure to provide for any emission-reduction and renewable energy measures for agriculture in the budget was a missed opportunity.

“Farmers can play a pivotal role in carbon emission reduction while providing a secure energy supply through renewable electricity, heat and transport fuel initiatives,” he said.