The Technical officers of the UFU have recently assisted a number of members who were cautioned on separate occasions by HMRC and PSNI for the use of red diesel and on the distance travelled from the farm.
Confusion and incorrect interpretation of the legislation appeared to be the main cause of the problem. This has left many members of the farming community confused on what exactly they are entitled to do.
Gillian Cheatley Senior Technical officer o
f the UFU explained, "We have had a number of members who were stopped recently by both PSNI and HMRC, in relation to the distance they had travelled on red diesel. An appeared mix up in the interpretation of the legislation has lead to a number of farmers being stopped and cautioned. We were pleased to be able to clarify to our members that a tractor which has been taxed as an agricultural vehicle may be used on the public road for agricultural use and are permitted to use red diesel. There is no limit to the distance that such a vehicle may travel. We have since spoken to the PSNI and HMRC and clarified these issues".
Farmers however must ensure that they tax tractors which are to be used on the road, even though there is a nil rate of duty for an agricultural tax disc it still must be applied for and displayed.
Farmers must be warned, that tractors used on the public road for non-agricultural purposes, automatically lose their "agricultural tractor" status, and will therefore fall foul of taxation class, red diesel usage and weight restrictions.
Age and vehicle weights are another issue which causes concern, especially at silage time when young drivers are all too keen to get behind the wheel. 16 year olds may only drive an agricultural tractor less than 2.45 metres wide towing a trailer less than 2.45 metres wide, and the unladen weight of the tractor must not exceed 2550kg. 17 year olds and over must have passed a full driving test to allow them to drive an agricultural tractor carrying out an agricultural, horticulture or forestry activity and the total maximum laden weight of both the towing tractor and the legally towed item is 24,390kg.
There are other intricacies regarding the use of red diesel which farmers should be aware of, for example Can a digger can be towed on a low-loader to use on another farm by a tractor on red diesel? In essence the answer would be no as it would be classified as haulage. But if the tractor is to be used as well on the farm then it can be run on red diesel. It must be stressed to legally use red diesel on the road you must be carrying out an agricultural activity.
Members requiring clarification on specific situations such as contracting and movement of produce using red diesel should contact their UFU Technical officer for further information. All UFU members have the facility to contact a Technical officer who can assist and provide information on a wide range of issues relating to agriculture.
UFU Technical officer details:
All County Down groups (apart from Lagan) – Gillian Cheatley UFU HQ 02890370222
Lagan, South Antrim, NE Armagh, Armagh Down – Cheryl Herdman (contact your group office)
All Fermanagh groups, NW Armagh, All Tyrone Groups– Leslie Craig (contact your group office)
County Antrim (apart from South Antrim) All County Londonderry Groups – Robert Cochrane (contact your group office).
