WELL DONE FRANCE! I am not a francophile so it takes me a lot to say that.

France set itself on a collision course with Brussels recently as it announced green taxes on gas-guzzling cars and a state-funded discount for vehicles that emit small quantities of carbon dioxide. the plan is to slap on a tax of 2,600 Euros on 4×4’s and high powered sports cars and pay purchasers of small cars up to 1,000 Euros. This is under the plan to curb greenhouse gas emission in France.

“We are the first Western country to give a bonus to virtuous products,”
Jean-Louis Borlooo , the Ecology Minister said.

It is generally agreed that this is a step in the right direction. BUT, the French press have said that the fiercest opposition could come from Brussels amd fears that the scheme could distort competition.

This is an abridged version of another gem from THE TIMES 6th December 2007