The president of ANAREC, João Durão, accused the Portuguese Government of "making money from fuels" and of "lying to the Portuguese," demanding a reduction in the tax burden and more enforcement at the border with Spain. João Durão stated that in one euro of diesel, 60 cents are taxes, a situation that does not occur in Spain.
The price difference in fuels between Portugal and Spain, specifically between Caminha and the Galician town of Tomiño, separated by only six kilometers through the Bridge of Friendship, ranges between 30 and 40 cents. The official warned that this high fiscal difference represents a temptation for consumers and results in daily smuggling of fuel.
The owner of a fuel station in Lanhelas, João Fernandes, confirmed that fuel enters illegally into Portugal every day, describing that vans, trucks are used, and that people go to get jerry cans at any hour. He also warned that Portuguese farmers are buying road diesel in Spain, cheaper than the agricultural diesel subsidized by the State in Portugal.
ANAREC announced it will send a request for clarification to the Government and request a meeting next week to discuss the impact of fuel price increases. João Durão warned that this was the first of possibly several protest actions should the demands not be met.
