Duty-free fuel for fishermen possible under EU rules

The claim by Maltese fishermen to get duty-free fuel is acceptable under current EU rules but it is up to the national authorities to decide whether or not to introduce such a scheme.

A spokesman for the Commission confirmed to The Times yesterday that fishermen from many EU member states avail themselves of duty-free fuel.

"According to directive 2003/96, maritime fishing is exempted from excise duties. This is also applicable to VAT in line with another directive," the spokesman said.

A few weeks ago the National Fisheries Cooperative warned the government that it was "reaching the end of the line" on various pending issues, primarily with regard to duty-free fuel.

Cooperative secretary Ray Bugeja had complained that fishermen were not sold duty-free fuel unlike their EU counterparts. He appealed to the government to resolve the issue.

Sources close to the government said yesterday the issue is now under consideration and a decision is expected to be taken soon.

Duty-free fuel is already sold in Malta to owners of pleasure craft (yachts) and pleasure aircraft. This is, however, only given to those who travel outside territorial waters or airspace.

In this case however such excise duty exemption lapses by the end of this year but the government has submitted an application so that the Commission will grant another extension. The Commission has not yet decided although it has already said that in principle it does not agree with further extensions.

Whatever decision is taken by the Commission on pleasure yachts and aircraft, it will still be possible for fishermen to buy duty-free fuel in terms of a different regulation aimed specifically for fishing.