Varadkar urged to reverse new regulation on maximum load height

Farmer groups are calling on Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to reverse a new regulation enforcing a maximum load height restriction of 4.65 metres.

IFA national environment and rural affairs chairman Harold Kingston has described the new 4.65m regulation as excessive. He said it will add millions of euro to the annual cost of transporting fodder and other agri-related produce.

Mr Kingston said: “The new height restriction will add an enormous additional and unnecessary cost on the sector, which may be as high as €10m each year. It can be avoided if Minister Varadkar applies a similar height limit of 5.03m, as exists in the UK and other member states.”