(South Scotland)
(Con): I recognise that the matter is
reserved; however, I recently met farmers and representatives of
NFU Scotland, who are extremely worried about the issues with red
diesel. Recent figures suggest that more than 380 farmers have
reported machinery failure, which in turn seriously hampers their
ability to harvest crops and feed livestock, not to mention the
repair costs, which are escalating.
Will the cabinet secretary consider
launching a long-term expert working group in Scotland to
undertake an investigation into the situation and to help to
advise on and deliver those long-term solutions to this very
serious problem?
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and
Connectivity (): is correct; it is a reserved matter. It relates to
the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which is
mandated by the UK Government, the specifications of which are
set by the UK Government through the Department for Transport. It
is important that we get to the root cause of the issue.
As I have set out, Petroineos in
Scotland has already taken proactive action, although there have
been instances of the difficulty being experienced in other parts
of the UK. Transport Scotland officials are directly engaged with
the Department for Transport on the issue in order to press the
UK Government to identify a long-term solution.
I understand that the group in the
Department for Transport that is considering the issue intends to
undertake survey work with the National Farmers Union and NFUS to
identify the extent and nature of the problem, in order to assist
it in identifying what further measures need to be taken to
achieve a long-term solution.
I assure that we will continue to press the UK Government
to take early and swift action on the issue, given the
potentially serious implications that it could have for the
farming sector in Scotland.
