DODGYALLIES
Page 22
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The haulage industry undoubtedly has a case over the high and increasing price of fuel, Hauliers operate on very tight profit margins in a highly competitive market which makes it difficult for them to pass cost increases on to their customers.
Farmers, on the other hand, appear to have a less robust case. To begin with they use red" diesel (and often in things they shouldn't!) and they are in receipt of highly criticised subsidies from Europe under the Common Agricultural Policy (including some which pay them to do nothing at all).
Widening the protest to include absolutely anyone with an axe to grind blunts its message, and farmers make very odd bed-fellows for the haulage industry here because of their already substantial support from subsidies.
Hauliers should stand alone on this issue, otherwise the message to government will be too diffuse. Talking to the farmers about how to press for subsidies would be a good idea—they've shown their expertise in that area before— otherwise their active involvement in the dispute looks counter-productive.
Robert Candlish BA BIM MInstTA MILT, Ware, Hem.