Following the success of protests in the Republic achieving a package worth €505m (£440m) from the Irish government to support those most impacted by rising fuel costs. The Northern Ireland farmers and hauliers are starting their own protests against the rising fuel costs.
The conflict in the Middle East has caused a rapid price rise for both petrol and diesel around the world.
Some 20% of the world’s oil trade, the raw ingredient for producing both petrol and diesel, has been halted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
In Northern Ireland, petrol increased from 124.8p litre on 26 February to 153.1p litre on Thursday, while diesel prices have gone from 132.6p litre to 185.6p litre, according to the Consumer Council.
Fuel tax in Northern Ireland follows UK-wide policy, consisting of a flat rate of 52.95p per litre for both petrol and diesel, plus 20% VAT charged on top of the duty and the product price. This means over 50% of the total pump price is often tax.
In a statement the Ulster Farmer’s Union say:
“The Ulster Farmers’ Union is aware of the planned protest but is not involved in organising it.
“Farmers and businesses across Northern Ireland are frustrated as fuel and input costs continue to rise, placing real pressure on the agri-food sector and wider economy.
“The UFU’s role is to work constructively with government and decision-makers to secure practical solutions for farmers and our priority is ensuring that the concerns of our members are heard and acted upon through these channels.
“The UFU has requested direct engagement with the Prime Minister and relevant departments.
“We would encourage that if any action is taken, it is safe, lawful and mindful of the wider public.”
On Friday the First and deputy first ministers sent a joint letter to the prime minister calling for his government to step in on rising costs.
Michelle O’Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly said in their statement:
“Our hauliers, our farmers, and small and medium-sized enterprises are facing sharply increased operating costs too and these costs are inevitably being passed on further, deepening the cost-of-living crisis.
“Families and businesses cannot continue to absorb these sustained increases without intervention.”
Regarding their statement, Richard Smith, the Road Haulage Association Managing Director, said: “We welcome the First Minister and Deputy First Minister urging the PM for urgent action on fuel costs to manage inflation.
“They call for a reduction in fuel duty and ‘targeted support for hauliers, farmers and SMEs’ which mirror our asks of the Government.
“We urge the Chancellor to scrap fuel duty increases planned from September and back operators with a targeted Essential User Rebate for haulage, coach and van operators. This would help protect supply chains, following actions by other countries including Spain, France and Italy.”
Regarding the protests the RHA adds that, “The RHA is not involved in organising fuel protests.
“We’re calling on the Government to scrap planned fuel duty increases and to introduce an Essential User Rebate for haulage, coach and van operators to reduce the costs of moving people and goods.”
The fuel protest which was set to take place in Derry/Londonderry on Monday morning has been postponed after organisers opted to wait for reactions from the Government over the next few days.
According to a poster widely circulated online, demonstrators were set to gather at the Vale Centre in Greysteel at 8am and block the A2, a main road on route to Derry city.
However, it is believed protests planned throughout NI on Tuesday, April 14, will still go ahead across various locations in the North, including the bridge at Toome and the Westlink in Belfast.
Motorists are being warned to expect delays and plan their journeys in advance.
Julie Mullan
Student Journalist at UUC