The Ulster Farmers’ Union is extremely concerned by proposals from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to extend MOT testing to large tractors with design speeds of over 40km/h and used for transporting goods on a commercial basis. This would ultimately affect Fastrac’s used by agri-contractors involved in jobs such as the haulage of silage.
UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said: “The current proposals from DfI would not only have an immediate negative impact on the agricultural industry but they could have future implications.”
In its response to DfI’s consultation, the UFU has highlighted how impractical the proposals would be for agricultural tractors. Even getting tractors to a participating test centre could prove difficult.
“Agricultural tractors are predominantly used for field duties and only tend to be on the road for short periods of time. Yet, given the substantial impact these proposals will have on one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries, it is essential that a full impact assessment is completed.
“The Ulster Farmers’ Union want all agricultural tractors involved in all types of agricultural work to be exempt from these proposals,” said the UFU deputy president.
