Truckers and farmers could escape tyre levy

Levies imposed on motorists to curb illegal dumping of car tyres may not be extended to truck owners, farmers, and builders, as was previously planned. There are complaints the scheme is flawed and will actually cause dumping.

The levy was introduced on car tyres three months ago, despite industry complaints that because of loopholes thousands of used tyres would continue to be illegally dumped in the countryside, from where 750,000 already await removal.

Truck tyres were due to become liable for the levy — called the visible Environmental Management Charge (vEMC) — on January 1, but that deadline was extended to March 31. Agricultural and construction vehicles were to follow in October.