ICMSA critical of ‘renewed confusion’ on tractor NCT exemption

THE Chairperson of ICMSA Farm & Rural Affairs Committee has criticised the lack of clarity that still exists regarding the possible requirements for an NCT for so-called ‘fast’ tractors.

Denis Drennan was commenting following a meeting on the matter last Friday and he said that the renewed confusion was very regrettable especially given the fact that following intensive lobbying by ICMSA and others last Autumn, it appeared that common sense would prevail and tractors engaged in farming related activities would not be required to have an NCT.

Mr. Drennan said that ICMSA’s position had not changed and that meant a complete NCT exemption for tractors involved in agricultural activity, including hauling sileage or any other obvious farm-related activity.

He said that tractors being employed in farm work must be excluded from any requirements for an NCT and ICMSA was going to seek clarification from the department to this effect. According to Mr. Drennan the onus is squarely on the relevant departments to consult amongst themselves and then announce that (A) tractors engaged in farming or farm-related activity were exempt from the requirement to have an NCT and (B) to publicly declare that to be the case.

The ICMSA Chair said it was very much to be regretted that we were back to this state of confusion again when the departments concerned had previously accepted the ICMSA position and declared that an NCT would not be required.