Brussels, 18/02/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Ecofin Council has adopted a decision authorising the United Kingdom to maintain until 31 December 2009 an exemption from the British tax on climate change for solid low value fuel (coal, brown coal). This exemption is restricted to companies that sell such fuels. If unused, the fuel would be dumped.
Directive 2003/96/EC restructures the Community framework for the taxation of energy and electricity products. According to its Article 19, the Council may authorise a Member State to introduce exemptions or additional reductions for specific reasons, on condition that they do not upset the smooth working of the internal market. The Council's decision is taken unanimously, on a Commission proposal and for a renewable six-year period.