New European Commission proposals to simplify agricultural and forestry vehicle laws and improve safety have been welcomed in principle by NFU Scotland, although the Union awaits further details to ascertain whether they will present unnecessary cost and red tape.
The European Commission’s communication on the subject highlights the institution’s intention to gather the current 50 different Directives and items of implementing legislation on agricultural and forestry vehicles which currently operate throughout the EU’s 27 Member States. The resulting body of legislation will be updated, streamlined and replaced by five Regulations.
The newly simplified legislation will also increase the safety of these vehicles by addressing anti-lock braking systems, deceleration performance and the compatibility between tractors, trailers and towed equipment.
NFU Scotland’s President, Jim McLaren said:
“The European Commission’s proposals are positive in that they could boil down a significant number of complex regulations into a smaller package.
“I also wholeheartedly support any move to improve the safety of farm vehicles and therefore look forward to reading the document in greater detail.
“NFU Scotland is consulting urgently with its EU colleagues to investigate the implications of these new proposals, particularly with reference to existing vehicles. In order to ensure that the proposals develop in a practical and reasonable fashion, NFU Scotland will observe them closely and continue to work side by side with the European Parliament and Commission.”
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