MEPs call for strict limit on tractor time
MEPs call for strict limit on tractor time
By Philip Clarke
FARMERS and their workers could be restricted to just two to three hours a day on their tractors under controversial new plans, which could be approved by Brussels.
The legislation, contained in the Physical Agents (Vibrations) Directive, is intended to limit the exposure of workers to vibrations from machinery, to protect them from the risk of back damage.
But it has drawn widespread condemnation from industry leaders.
"These proposals are totally impractical," said NFU vice-president, Michael Paske. "Farmers would have to consider employing extra staff simply to bring in their harvests."
Despite the objections, MEPs meeting in the employment and social affairs committee in Brussels on Tue, Oct 9 voted in favour of the measure. They rejected an amendment from West Midlands MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews, who wanted to avoid putting specific limits on daily exposure to "whole body vibration" (WBV). Instead they voted in favour of an amendment from French MEP Marie-Therese Hermange, calling for even tighter restrictions than those suggested by member states in the farm council.
Mr Bushell-Matthews said he was angered but not surprised by the outcome. "There is no scientific evidence to link whole body vibration to back pain," he said. "It is only spuriously to do with health and safety."
He suspects the agenda is being pushed by European trade unions, which believe it would be good for job creation. "But it could have the reverse effect, as any number of firms would be put out of business."
The MEPs position is also opposed by the UK government and the Health and Safety Executive. "We were hoping for no limits to apply, but that is not going to happen," said Brian Coles of the HSE. "We are, therefore, supporting the councils position."
That calls for a daily WBV limit of 1.15m/sec sq compared with the MEPs preferred 0.8m/sec sq. Mr Coles says that would allow up to eight hours a day in the tractor seat, depending on the type of tractor and the job undertaken. This could be averaged over seven days, providing scope for farmers to work longer hours at busy times.
The draft legislation will be considered by the European Parliament in two weeks time, which is expected to ratify its committees decision. It will then go back to the council for final consideration.
If a common position is reached, farmers would then have 10 years to comply with the new law.
The NFU is encouraging its members to lobby their MEPs against the proposals ahead of the crucial European parliament meeting in Strasbourg on Oct 23. *