EC plans fuel duty pit]
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• by Keith ihrthall The European Commission has launched dramatic proposals to harmonise fuel excise duty across Europe. It also plans to protect hauliers from further sharp rises in the price of fuel. The plans will be discussed by EU heads of government this weekend when they meet in Biarritz, France.
Reflecting the Impact of the fuel price protests that have rocked many member states, the EC is proposing that the EU should be empowered to inter vene centrally in European al markets "to limit price volatility, in order to combat speculation'. This would include building up EU oil stocks, which could be released in the event of a steep price hike.
The EC suggests improving the organisation of the fuel market to give users more warning of future price movements. And, fallowing the stance earlier outlined by Brussels, it is calling for tighter competition rules in the oil sector, to stop domir suppliers exploiting their pa in national markets to n prices unnecessarily.
Surprisingly, it also r poses that national govi ments should resist the tem' tion to offset oil price riser unilaterally cutting ta Instead the plan proposes I monising fuel excise duties, particular by raising minin rates". This suggestion wi have been politically unthink; before the fuel crisis.