Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan today wrote to the Chancellor urging him to slash fuel tax and introduce a fairer vehicle taxation system for motorists who drive 4x4s and other vehicles out of necessity.

The FUW has regularly highlighted the need for an equitable system that reflects the unique needs of rural Wales.

As more than 150 lorries drove in convoy from Carmarthenshire to Cardiff to hand in a petition protesting at fuel price rises, Mr Vaughan wrote: "You will be well aware that the past six months have seen the most significant rises in fuel prices this century.

"Nowhere have these rises impacted more than in rural Wales, where the majority of domestic journeys must be made by car, and businesses, particularly farm businesses, rely significantly upon diesel vehicles.

"The Automobile Association's May 2008 Fuel Price Report suggests that Welsh diesel prices are not only the highest in the UK but are also higher than in any European Member State.

"Welsh rural businesses are also necessarily reliant upon four-by-four vehicles due to Wales' geography and topology, meaning that successive and intended hikes in the taxation classes of such vehicles have a disproportionate impact on rural families and businesses.

"In view of the above, and the acute and growing pressure that rises in fuel prices represent for rural businesses, not to mention businesses across the UK, I believe that we have reached a critical point at which action must be taken by yourself to significantly reduce fuel tax in order to aid the economy.