Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979

17 Heavy oil used by horticultural producers

(1) If, on an application made for the purposes of this section by a horticultural producer, it is shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that within the period for which the application is made any quantity of heavy oil has been used by the applicant as mentioned in subsection (2) below, then, subject as provided below, the applicant shall be entitled to obtain from the Commissioners repayment of the amount of any excise duty which has been paid in respect of the quantity so used, unless that amount is less than £2.50.

(2) A horticultural producer shall be entitled to repayment under this section in respect of oil used by him—

(a) in the heating, for the growth of horticultural produce primarily with a view to the production of horticultural produce for sale, of any building or structure, or of the earth or other growing medium in it; or

(b) in the sterilisation of the earth or other growing medium to be used for the growth of horticultural produce as mentioned in paragraph (a) above in any building or structure.

(3) Where any quantity of oil is used partly for any such purpose as is mentioned in subsection (2) above and partly for another purpose, such part of that quantity shall be treated as used for each purpose as may be determined by the Commissioners.

(4) An application under this section shall be made for a period of 6 months ending with June or December and within 3 months following that period, unless the Commissioners otherwise allow, and shall be made in such manner as the Commissioners may direct.

(5) The Commissioners may require an applicant for repayment under this section—

(a) to state such facts concerning the hydrocarbon oil delivered to or used by him, or concerning the production of horticultural produce by him, as they may think necessary to deal with the application;

(b) to furnish them in such form as they may require with proof of any statement so made ; and

(c) to permit an officer to inspect any premises or plant used by him for the production of horticultural produce or in or for which any such oil was used.

(6) If—

(a) the facts required by the Commissioners under subsection (5)(a) above are not stated ; or

(b) proof of the matters referred to in subsection (5)(b) above is not furnished to the satisfaction of the Commissioners ; or

(c) an applicant fails to permit inspection of premises or plant as required under the subsection (5)(c) above,

the facts shall be deemed for the purposes of this section to be such as the Commissioners may determine.

(7) In this section—

(a) " horticultural produce " has the meaning assigned to it by Schedule 2 to this Act; and

(b) " horticultural producer " means a person growing horticultural produce primarily for sale.