Quarry body says: 'No benefit from eco-tax'

by Paul Donovan

The Quarry Products Association claims that the proposed aggregate tax will not bring environmental benefits.

In a detailed response to the Customs and Excise consultation paper on the aggregate tax, the QPA claims that there are no means for differentiating between different levels of environmental performance or of encouraging good practice.

The association also claims that there is no recognition of the use of aggregates for environmental benefits.

The cleaning of power stations emissions and water and sewerage treatment are given as examples of how these functions can be achieved.

Simon van der Byl, director general of QPA, said: "The Customs and Excise paper actually confirms that there is no environmental justification for aggregates taxation, the key reason given by the Government for potentially taxing the quarrying industry.

"It is our firm belief that a more effective environmental approach is in the use of regulations and voluntary initiatives, which would ensure continuing and comprehensive improvements in the industry's environmental performance."