There are no plans to implement a ban on the importation of coal to the island, a Tynwald written answer has confirmed.

Liberal Vannin leader Kate Costain (Douglas South) asked Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Geoffrey Boot what time scales there are to ban the advertising of fossil fuels for commercial sale, the import of fossil fuels, including coal and heating oil and open hearth domestic fires.

Mr Boot said: ’There is no specific action planned for banning the importation of coal and coal products.

’New build homes will not be able to use coal-fired heating appliances once the ban on fossil-fuel heating is implemented, by 2025. Additional measures to address the emissions associated with coal will need to be considered in phase two of the government action plan.’

He also confirmed that there is no proposed back on the importation of fossil-fuel based central heating fuel oil in phase one of the government action plan.

Neither is there a plan to specifically ban open hearth domestic fires.