DTp hunts rogue farm hauliers
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• The Department of Transport has confirmed that farmers will be free to take on general haulage work using agricultural tractors and goods vehicles if changes set out in the Budget are passed into law (CM 4-10 May).
"It is correct that farmers will not need an 0-licence to haul on public roads. It was a simple decision to remove restrictions and a tractor can now carry anything it likes for as far as it likes," says the DTp.
The DTp accepts that hauliers could suffer, but says: "Although some farmers will be getting a fair slice of haulage work, it was considered acceptable if the rules could be simplified."
No problems have yet been brought to the attention of the DTp or the Customs & Excise, but the DTp wishes to hear from hauliers who know of farmers abusing the change by using unlit or overloaded vehicles. The new rules will be reviewed if the evidence dictates it, says the DTp.