Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from
Richard Bird, Executive Officer, British Aggregates Association
BRITISH AGGREGATES
ASSOCIATION AND
THE GOVERNMENT'S
PROPOSED NEW
RELIEF SCHEME
FOR THE
AGGREGATES LEVY
IN NORTHERN
IRELAND
In light of the Committee's ongoing Inquiry
into the Pre Budget Report 2003, I am writing to inform you of
the latest development regarding the aggregates levy.
The British Aggregates Association (BAA) has
lodged a complaint with the European Commission against the Government's
proposed new scheme for relief from the aggregates levy in Northern
Ireland, asking the Commission to investigate as the proposals
may be illegal. This is in line with our long standing legal action
against the aggregates levy across the UK.
The Association remains sympathetic to the very
serious problems the levy has caused for quarry operators in Northern
Ireland. We recognise that our objection could delay or prevent
the proposed new relief scheme in Northern Ireland which could
have helped stop some of the damage done by the levy in Northern
Ireland. But we believe that continuing our legal challenge to
the levy, based on compelling evidence that it is not protecting
the environment, and is in some ways harming the environment across
the UK, is the best way to protect the interests of both the environment
and independent quarry operators.
The BAA has continued to seek further opportunities
to engage constructively with the Treasury, and wrote two letters
(on 19 December and 27 January) to John Healey MP, requesting
a meeting. Unfortunately we received no response by 9 February
2004 and were obliged by that time to lodge a complaint with the
Commission. We continue to seek opportunities to engage constructively
with the Government regarding policy on aggregates quarrying and
the environment.
March 2004
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