The Department of the Environment has been urged to end the confusion over a controversial tax on hauliers crossing the border.

The British government introduced the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Levy on 01 April, which sees hauliers crossing borders into the UK required to pay a tax.

However, the levy has been criticised in both the North and South of Ireland, with many company's operating on an all-island basis.

Sinn Féin have called on the north's Department of the Environment to clarify ongoing confusion over the levy.

"Sinn Féin has consistently raised our opposition to its imposition in the North as it goes against all our efforts to promote trade across the island and to develop the all-Ireland economy," the party's MLA in West Tyrone, Barry McElduff has said.

Adding: "I welcome the reassurance from the environment minister that this illogical levy will not be enforced in the North but there is still some confusion out there among hauliers. 

"DVA officials are stopping hauliers at Strabane, Ballygawley, Enniskillen, Armagh and other border crossings and handing out leaflets providing information on the levy and how it can be paid. 

"This is causing great confusion because on one hand the department is saying the levy will not be enforced while on the other drivers are being given information on how it can be paid. 

"The department needs to act decisively to end the uncertainty and confusion over this issue so that it does not become a barrier to trade."

(MH/JP)