Europe’s biggest trailer manufacturer, Ifor Williams Trailers, says it would damage the economy – and the environment.

The shock increase was put off for 12 months by the Chancellor Alistair Darling because of the credit crunch.

Among those joining the campaign to scrap the idea for good is Brynle Williams AM, the Conservative spokesman on agriculture in the Welsh Assembly.

Mr Williams said: "It is grossly unfair that farmers and other businesses are being penalised by this catch-all approach.

"These so-called Chelsea tractors that are causing this problem have been bought as fashion accessories but farmers and people like plant hire operators don’t have that luxury.

"A trailer is an essential part of their business, it is crucial to their livelihood and you need a four-wheel drive to tow them.

"It’s a tool of the trade, like the milking parlour is to a dairy farmer and a concrete mixer is to a builder.

"Potentially, this is counter-productive because it could defeat the whole object of the legislation.

"At the moment, one 4 x 4 vehicle fits all purposes - it is a workhorse. It can tow a trailer to take stock to market and the sheep to the vet but it can also take the children to school and go on a shopping trip.

"We could end up in a situation where farmers are buying a livestock wagon and also running another vehicle for family purposes and that would lead to more pollution and more vehicles on the road.

"Business is what makes the world go round and this potentially could put a lot of people out of business.

"Times are hard enough as it is. We need to encourage rural business and entrepreneurs and a tax like this will have a detrimental effect.

"We need to differentiate between the essential users and the owners of the Chelsea tractor.

"We need a solution that is not going to be unfair to businesses and it is an issue that must be addressed as a matter of urgency before it the new tax is implemented next April."

Mr Darling’s aim is to reward people who buy "green" cars with low carbon emissions.

But as a result there will be a steep rise in road tax will for anyone driving a 4×4 and other vehicles with higher emissions.

Ifor Williams Trailers believe it would be counter-productive as it would lead to even more vehicles being used.

That’s because farmers, builders and others would be tempted to buy a lorry or a van for work purposes and a car for private and family journeys.

Iorwerth Roberts, the company’s Head of Sales in North Wales, said: "The proposals make no provision for essential users of higher emitting vehicles.

"This includes all 4x4 vehicles capable of towing large trailers which are essential tools for farmers and tens of thousands of business users.

"It is particularly unfair because there is no alternative lower emitting vehicle on the market that is capable of towing the trailers required for work.

"The extra tax on a 4x4 is likely to be around £950 for the first year on new vehicles.

"In the second year, it would come down to around £450 which is still a big increase for those who have to pay it.

"This tax actually discourages the purchase of new, cleaner 4x4 vehicles and encourages owners to keep their older, higher polluting vehicles for longer.

"This is just crazy in the current economic climate and when the Government is creating incentives for the development and purchase of cleaner vehicles.

"Essential users of 4x4s can’t replace their vehicle for a smaller car with a lower tax because it just isn’t capable of doing the job it’s required to do.

"A 4 x 4 isn’t an optional luxury for a farmer or others in business. It is an essential tool of their trade."

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News » Growing campaign to put brake on shock 4x4 tax