
Marine
Anglers will not face a hike in the cost of running their boats
Many anglers make use of their own boats to go fishing. This can add a lot of cost to the pleasure we get from being on the water. It was, therefore, with dismay that the Angling Trust learnt the government had launched a consultation to remove the entitlement to “red diesel” for the use of recreational boats in both coastal and inland waters.
The Angling Trust, along with other boating interests, objected to this proposed change. We pointed out that the cost of fuel is one of the biggest determining factors in boat angling participation and the higher cost of running vessels if they are required to use “white diesel” may impact on objectives to increase participation in angling, such as the government’s National Angling Strategy and Sport England objectives. We argued that should the government go ahead, it was clear that supply around the coast for recreational boaters could not be guaranteed as the cost of installing a second pump for “white diesel” would not be commercially viable in many harbours and ports.
As boat owners already pay a duty on the portion of “red diesel” used for propulsion, the proposed change was expensive and would bring no benefit to the government in terms of extra income.
We’re pleased the government has listened and in his budget statement on 3rd March, Rishi Sunak announced the government would not proceed with this change.
David Mitchell, the Angling Trust’s Head of Sea Angling, said:
“We are extremely pleased with the government’s announcement to maintain the entitlement to red diesel for recreational boat angling. This is a big win for the Angling Trust and in p[articular for sea anglers. The Angling Trust and other representative bodies have worked with the government on this issue for a number of years and are pleased the concerns of, and impact to, boat anglers, have been taken into account”.
For details on the consultation and the summary of responses click here.
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