Tractors And Trailers

EDM number 1562 in 2006-07, proposed by Mark Williams on 23/05/2007.

That this House notes that the Construction and Use Regulations and Road Vehicle Framework Directive permit agricultural tractors to tow a heavy unbalanced trailer at speeds of up to 20 mph to perform agricultural, forestry or horticultural duties; further notes that if the same tractor is registered as a motor tractor it is not permitted to tow the same trailer to perform general haulage duties; notes that in Great Britain there are 250,406 registered agricultural tractors and 80,634 registered motor tractors; believes that the law as it stands is unclear and that thousands of farmers across the UK are unaware that they are acting illegally because the law is not made clear to them; notes with concern that the law as it stands makes it impossible for farmers to diversify into haulage; is aware that many agricultural tractors now operate at speeds of up to 40 mph; and urges Ministers in the Department for Transport to meet agricultural unions, haulage bodies and other concerned groups to address this problem urgently.

This motion has been signed by a total of 18 MPs.