Keep F licence farmers
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FARMERS in Scotland have protested to the Government about the proposals on carriers' licensing and drivers' hours in the Transport Bill.
Dealing with the annual haulage charge, and the further charge to be made in respect of abnormal loads, the National Farmers Union of Scotland states that difficulties may arise in respect of wide agricultural machinery, such as combines, carried on low loaders. It urges that the "farmers goods" licence should be retained and that all agricultural machines and vehicles hauling a farmer's own goods should be exempted.
"We have asked that the limit for exempted vehicles should be raised from 30cwt to 40cwt to cover larger dual-purpose vehicles.
"We have stressed the folly of introducing a system of goods transport which is bound to aggravate the problems of the outlying areas such as the Highlands and Islands. Their transport burden is high enough already without additional imposition."
The Union also states that it has stressed the necessity for excluding agricultural vehicles and machinery from the suggested restrictions on drivers' hours, the fitting of tachographs. etc.
"This apart, the proposals would restrict contractors and others who might find themselves unable to return to their base from a farm where they were doing a job because their driving working hours might be exceeded."
• FARMERS throughout Britain have already lodged their protests: The NFU said proposals contained in the Bill would add millions to the cost of food production. On carrier licensing it complained that the farmer or grower with one vehicle, if it happened to be over 3 Ocwt, would need a transport manager's licence.