A KEY European Union decision to reject calls for red diesel to be included in environmental legislation has been welcomed by UK farming chiefs.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) protested against extending the directive, which aims to protect the environment from damaging sulphur emissions.

Concerned for the welfare of a beleaguered sector, union bosses said the additional costs of implementing the extension could not be justified.

NFU technical services chairman Marcus Themans said: 'We are extremely pleased that the council took the time to consider the arguments raised by the NFU against the amendments before making its decision.' Themans and his colleagues had warned Brussels chiefs that the proposal to include red diesel had serious implications for agriculture and the cost of food production and questionable added environmental benefit.

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