CHARITY TRACTOR runs are still under threat of a red diesel clampdown from HMRC.

Last month, the Treasury conceded the point that ploughing matches and farm shows are legitimate agricultural activities, and therefore qualify for the continued use of diesel covered by the farming industry's lower fuel duty.

However, Gordon MP Richard Thomson, who helped make the red diesel case for ploughing matches, said this week that the argument over charity vintage tractor runs was still to be won.

Read more: Charity incomes could suffer as HMRC bans red diesel use for tractor road runs

Mr Thomson noted that charity tractor runs raise huge sums for charities such as the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution each year and allow vintage enthusiasts to keep their machines in good running order.

“While I very much welcomed the reversal of the UK Treasury’s position, which would have threatened the existence of ploughing matches and jeopardised snow clearing by farm tractors on public roads during winter, the case for the good work done by charity tractor runs raising money should not be overlooked," he said.

“The amount of money the UK Treasury would make from pushing ahead with this change is surely minimal and the work involved in flushing fuel tanks to ensure red diesel is not used puts these events in jeopardy – quite apart from the huge sums which will be lost to good causes in rural communities as a result of these events not taking place.

“I have therefore written to the UK Treasury asking for this to be reconsidered and ensure that a sensible approach is taken by HMRC so that these popular events can continue.”