The Commission announces the end of red diesel for pleasure boats - but where do we go from here? On Thursday a Communication from the European Commission revealed that they have rejected the UK’s arguments for an extension to the red diesel derogation. You can read the Communication hereThis means that pleasure boaters will no longer be able to use the low-tax fuel. What we don’t know is when the new tax rate will come into effect. Banning motorboaters from using red diesel will require a change to our legislation, which obviously takes time.