Farm and Forestry Contractors seeks tractor road test exemption

The Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors (FCI) has called on the Transport Minister to seek an exemption for tractors from EU roadworthiness testing legislation.

The UK has opted to avail of the exemption, pointed out FCI chief executive officer Michael Moroney last week.

Mr Moroney said that the FCI only became aware a number of weeks ago that the EU regulation on tractor testing is due to be transposed into Irish law by May 20 next.

“We do not have the necessary information, we do not know what is coming down the line, and there has been no consultation on the matter with bodies like ours, which have a high proportion of tractors that could be liable to be tested, because they are on the road to a greater extent,” said Mr Moroney.

“We feel it is unfair that we did not have an opportunity to have the same level of discussion, as we had with the RSA and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport over a lengthy period, on the review of the agricultural specifications with regard to tractors and trailers, which was a really useful process.”

The FCI’s membership includes more than 500 farm and forestry contractors, representing 70% of the land based rural contractor businesses in Ireland.

Mr Moroney said tractors are involved in just 1% of all road traffic accidents in Europe, and that 69% of the 1% involve tractors more than 12 years old.

“Contractor-owned tractors are not even involved in farm accidents to the same extent as farmer-owned tractors,” he said.

“This is because contractors need to have their machines in top condition all of the time to ensure they are working to the maximum available hours dictated by our variable weather conditions.

“The proposed tractor NCT will add significant costs for land based contractors in Ireland.

“We do not even know at this stage the tractors to which this applies,” he said. “On that basis, if we cannot get that information, we have to seek an exemption.”

Mr Moroney said the 68,000 or so tractors registered annually include nearly 20,000 in contractor fleets. He said it has been “hinted” that testing will not impact on tractors used for agricultural activities.

“There is an issue with defining what constitutes agricultural use and commercial use,” he said.