Belgian tax row
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• Belgian roads will be thrown into chaos when hauliers protest against the European motorway tax disc on 7 November, says their trade association.
The Federation Beige des Transporteurs (FEBETRA) remains discreet about its plans, partly because it does not want the authorities to take advance measures which would help relieve congestion. The new toll, applied to trucks of more than 12 tonnes, starts on 1 January 1995 in Benelux, Denmark and Germany.
A one-year Eurodisc will cost ECU750 (£959) for vehicles with fewer than four axles and ECU 1,250 1£1,598) for more. One-day passes are available for ECU6 (£8).
The Belgians fear losing their competitive edge as other countries compensate their hauliers.
Germany halved its tax on 40-tonne lorries to DM5,250 (£2,154). The Dutch tax fell 45% to NLG2,667 (£976). Denmark cut it by 40% to DKK 5,300 (£555) and also abolished a 15% tax on insurance. FEBETRA wants similar measures in Belgium.