After discovering 25 fuel laundering sites in the UK, 22 of them in Northern Ireland, HMRC, VOSA and the traffic commissioners (TCs) are vowing to step up their fight against fuel laundering and hauliers who use rebated diesel.
The new protocol, agreed by the parties, should result in an increase in the number of cases being referred to the authorities.
Geoff Dunning,
Road Haulage Association chief executive, said the new protocol represents a "radical and much-needed improvement" in the co-ordination of the enforcement and regulatory effort.
He added: "It should mean a transformation in reporting - and it is vital that is what happens in practice.
"I am much encouraged by HMRC’s assurance that it shares the RHA’s determination to eliminate non-compliance in respect of fuel duty and the damaging impact that has on legitimate hauliers."
In a statement, HMRC said the involvement in excise fraud by hauliers is a matter the organisation takes very seriously.
"Evasion of excise duty by a minority of hauliers distorts free and fair competition within the market, placing the large majority of legitimate hauliers at a disadvantage and HMRC is committed to helping to create a level playing field," it added.
SOURCE: commercialmotor.com