Haulage costs hit pigs

NEW RULES governing working hours came into effect on March 23, restricting the amount of time hauliers can work to 48 hours a week.

The EU Working Time Directive puts strict limits on how long drivers can spend loading and unloading trucks, as well as actual driving hours.

Although the new rules will apply to all employees across the haulage industry, pig producers are likely to bear additional costs as a result.

Loading, unloading and  vehicle washing will also be included in driver‘s hours, often accounting for an extra 30–50% of overall working time.

The National Pig Association have warned that rising livestock haulage costs now may be tied to time as well as distance.

With a nationwide shortage of around 50,000 commercial truck drivers and rising diesel costs, haulage charges are likely to knock a significant hole in producers‘ margins in the years ahead. 

Eddie Harper of the Road Haulage Association said that loading facilities on many pig units could be updated at fairly modest cost, minimising loading time.

Covered loading bays where pigs can be kept in separate groups are essential on all efficient finishing units, many of which still operate on a “shed by shed” time consuming loading process.

Permanent pig races rather than a typical mixture of straw bales, hurdles and staff to move pigs across units will also be an asset, and can be provided relatively cheaply.