The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has welcomed the announcement by UK and Irish governments that they will introduce a marker to help tackle fuel fraud.
The product will be used to mark rebated fuels, including off-road ('red') diesel. It will help HMRC and Irish Revenue Commissioners to tackle the criminal market in off-road diesel – marked with a red dye in the UK and green in Ireland.
"FTA welcomes any effort that can help reduce or eliminate fuel laundering, and... We are sure this will go a long way to help," says Seamus Leheny, FTA policy manager for Northern Ireland.
HMRC believes the new robust marker will make rebated fuel much harder for fraudsters to 'launder' and sell on at a profit. Estimates for illegal fuel use are 12% of the market in Northern Ireland, and 2% elsewhere in the UK.
FTA is recommending additional measures, including: removal of licences from operators found to use laundered fuel; confiscation of fuel and premises where it takes place, even for first-time offenders; and a custodial sentence for offenders.
Leheny adds: "Vigilance will be key in helping this marker to work successfully. Fuel launderers are determined to outsmart such initiatives and FTA is calling on the authorities to make enforcement measures against criminal activities robust."
