MP’s to re-examine aggregates levy in Northern Ireland

PARLIAMENT’s Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee is to take a fresh look at the problems caused by the aggregates levy in Northern Ireland. The decision by MP’s to hold a new inquiry followed lobbying and briefing of the committee by the British Aggregates Association, as well as representations from the quarrying industry in Northern Ireland.

The levy has caused serious problems for the quarrying industry in Northern Ireland, where reported sales of aggregates have fallen dramatically throughout the region. Instead, millions of tonnes of material are being brought across the border from the Republic of Ireland, or being sold on the black market. And with the levy being phased in for aggregates used in processed products, the situation is set to worsen, says the BAA.

Commenting on the decision to hold a fresh inquiry, BAA director Robert Durward said the Association welcomed the Committee’s decision to examine the massive difficulties faced by the quarrying industry in Northern Ireland, which had come about as a direct result of the introduction of the levy.

‘One year on from its introduction, the evidence that the levy is proving immensely damaging is clear,’ he said. ‘It is vital to our members that the Government faces up to the damage the levy has caused to the industry –– even if this means abandoning the levy in Northern Ireland.

‘The BAA, along with others, has consistently highlighted the many problems caused by the aggregates levy, of which the potential crisis in Northern Ireland’s quarrying industry is the most urgent. I hope together we will be able to make the Government see sense.’