MSP Gets Lochhead’s Support on Farm 4x4 Taxes

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has received a positive response from Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead to suggestions that essential agricultural users of four-wheel drive vehicles be registered for a rebate scheme for road tax or fuel duty. The issues of fuel duty and taxation are, of course, reserved to the Westminster Government in London and Mr Stevenson also wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the subject following meetings with local NFUS branches in his constituency. Mr Stevenson also took the opportunity to write to Richard Lochhead in the Scottish Government seeking his support in lobbying London for such a move and is delighted that the Cabinet Secretary has done so.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“The financial pressures facing farmers and others involved in the agriculture industry are immense at the moment. Some of these are due to external factors but some of these can be mitigated against by Government action. Clearly, on many farms, the trusty Land Rover or other four-wheel drive is a working vehicle and is used in the day to day running of the farm and tending of livestock.

“There is a case to be argued for these vehicles to be treated differently in terms of the taxation they attract when they are engaged in legitimate agricultural activities. I am delighted that Richard Lochhead has thrown his weight behind the suggestion and has also lobbied HM Treasury in London on this matter. It is now up to the Chancellor to show that he values the contribution to the economy made by Scotland’s agriculture sector.”