No ‘MOT’ for farmers’ and contractors’ tractors
Farmers and agricultural contractors yesterday welcomed the news that their tractors will not have to undertake an Mot-type roadworthiness test.
Despite opposition from some quarters, the Department for Transport announced this week that, following a major consultation on such testing, tractors classified as “agricultural machines” for tax purposes will be exempt from testing.
However a Dftthat although the decision meant that agricultural tractors would not require a roadworthiness test, owners of such tractors were legally required to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy before use on the road.
“In addition, general health and safety requirements apply when using a tractor off the road,” he added.
While tractors registered for agricultural use escaped being brought into the net, roadworthiness testing for tractors used for commercial haulage and capable of capable of more than 40km/h (approximately 25mph) will be brought in under the regime. Vehicles used further than 15 miles from their base of operation will require to be tested after four years, and every two years thereafter.
However there was less cheer when the UK government announced it proposed to set one of the strictest limits on crops used for biofuels in Europe.
And farming bodies claimed that arable farmers would be left at a major competitive disadvantage to their European neighbours after the DFT proposed setting this crop cap at 4 per cent in 2018 – decreasing to 2 per cent by 2032.
Calling for the cap, which governs the volume of crop-based biofuels allowed to be used on UK roads, to be set at the maximum possible level of 7 per cent, the NFU criticised the proposed limit, claiming that many other EU member states had opted to maximize the amount used.
The union said that the biofuels market was an important outlet for UK farmers’ crops – accounting for almost 15 per cent of the wheat crop – and that it extended demand while also producing an important source of high protein feed for the livestock industry.
“As Brexit brings times of uncertainty, it is vital for the industry that farmers have access to as many markets as possible,” said and NFU spokesman.
“Government support for farming is needed. This issue demonstrates the need for policies that practically support progressive farming.”
He added that setting a low crop cap would severely impact the UK’S production of bioethanol – and could threaten the future of the country’s two major bioethanol plants which annually used around 2.2 million tonnes of UK wheat.