Red diesel alert for farm tractor road gritters

Farmers using tractors to grit road should check the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website to see if they can use red diesel.

HMRC is monitoring the Met Office forecasts of extreme weather to respond to the needs of farmers who use 'red diesel' in their tractors when gritting public roads for their local communities.

Under normal circumstances, only vehicles designed and used solely for the purpose of gritting can use red diesel, preventing farmers using tractors from legally doing so.

Any temporary relaxations of the rules will be made on HMRC's website.

Farmers are already allowed under existing rule to use red diesel in their tractors when clearing snow from public roads by means of a snow plough or similar device.

Further information from the Excise and Customs Helpline on 0845 010 9000.