Members to be challenged: Are your agricultural vehicles fit for purpose?

NFU Scotland is taking to the road once again to hold workshops focused on agricultural and vehicle transportation issues.

Meetings to be held in Perthshire, Banffshire, Caithness and Ayrshire during June, July, August and September are the latest round of hugely successful workshops which have been held in the last three years in conjunction with Police Scotland and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Hundreds of Union members have attended previous workshops and all have been oversubscribed.

With legislation constantly changing, the workshops are the ideal opportunity for farmers, their employees, crofters and landowners to gain up-to-date knowledge on any rules that could affect them.  The event will cover: licensing regulations; loaders, forks and other projections; load security; weights; coupling; brakes; lighting and marking; tyres; general vehicle maintenance and road behaviours.

The events will be led by Linlithgow farmer Jamie Smart, who chairs NFU Scotland’s Legal and Technical Committee and operates NFU Scotland’s Agricultural Vehicles Helpline for members.

Announcing the dates, Mr Smart commented: “The popularity of these workshops continues to grow – every event we’ve held in the last three years has been oversubscribed.

“That is good news, as it is a clear sign that farmers and those within the industry are taking road safety seriously and are keen to keep abreast of the latest changes that apply to them with regards to vehicles and transportation.

“Vehicle legislation is complicated and can cause confusion amongst farmers and those that use agricultural vehicles. The workshops with Police Scotland and DVSA are the ideal opportunity for members to hear from the experts, ask questions and find out more information about certain transportation issues that are legally important.

“Not everyone always complies with the law, some unknowingly, and these events will give them the skills and knowledge to comply with the rules.  Transport is important to almost every farmer and I encourage everyone to come along and participate.”

Notes to Editors

• NFU Scotland members can attend either the morning or afternoon sessions at any of the following events:
  • Wednesday 28 June, Townhead Farm, Balbeggie, Perthshire, PH2 6ET by kind permission of Ian Sands
  • Wednesday 5 July, Backmuir of Keith, Keith, Banffshire, AB55 5PE by kind permission of Philip and Simon Simmers of Backmuir Trading Ltd
  • Wednesday 30 August, Aberdeen & Northern Marts, Quoybrae, Watten, Caithness
  • Wednesday 27 September, Stonebriggs, Cronberry, Cumnock, KA18 3LP by kind permission of T French & Sons
• Members can call 0131 472 4000 to register
• NFU Scotland’s Member-only Agricultural Vehicles Helpline is on 07733 136424
• If members of the media would like to attend any event, please contact media@nfus.org.uk
  

Ends

Contact Bob Carruth on 0131 472 4006