The Treasury refuses to cut the tax on mineral oil for the emergency services. The EU is to blame. The blue light organizations feel insulted.
The excitement surrounding the “Krone” report was huge – the country’s four major rescue organizations warned that fuel prices would soon no longer be affordable for them. In order to relieve the burden on rescue and patient transport services, the blue light organizations demanded an exemption from the mineral oil tax.
Will there be effective measures?
However, the Treasury refused. When asked by “Krone” it said: “The required reduction of the tax on mineral oil for rescue organizations would not have brought any relief. In terms of design we are bound by the EU legal requirements of the Energy Taxation Directive, therefore tax exemption under the EU legislation not possible.” However, the ministry is trying to implement precise measures within the framework of the legal possibilities.
The rescue organizations feel snubbed. Reinhard Hundsmüller, federal manager of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, is now immediately demanding special funding – comparable to the package of 110 million euros for agriculture – in order to continue to guarantee the security of supply of rescue and patient transport in the future.
“It is high time that the federal government and those responsible wake up and recognize the drama of the situation,” Hundsmüller said.
The Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund needs about 42,000 liters of petrol every month
Fuel prices are still consistently above two euros. The Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund alone needs about 42,000 liters of petrol per month for its vehicles in Vienna. These are costs totaling 81,984 euros.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
