The Ministry of Transport's review of the agricultural vehicle rules looks like it will deliver good outcomes for farming.
The agricultural sector is heavily affected by transport regulation, so it is vital that transport regulation is 'fit for purpose' and does not impose unnecessary costs. For many years Federated Farmershas been concerned the regulations impacting on agricultural vehicles, by treating these vehicles like trucks, are not fit for purpose and impose unnecessary costs.
The Ministry's discussion paper recognises the importance of agriculture being at the core of the New Zealand economy and that our economy depends on the success of agriculture, and other land-based industries.
The need to simplify and reduce compliance costs, without reducing road safety, were a major theme at stakeholder meetings held last month in Te Awamutu, Hastings, Palmerston North, Ashburton, Invercargill and Pukekohe.
The key planks of the review are, a proposal to simplify speed limits for agricultural vehicles used on the road and to align requirements for vehicle registration, licensing, inspection and road user charges around a simple 40kph threshold.
The Federation has been pushing to have a comprehensive review of these regulations for years. We think the 40kph approach is an excellent way to provide greater simplicity and reduce costs for vehicles that do not pose a road safety risk. Simpler rules are easier to comply with and are easier to enforce.
Federated Farmers made a supportive submission to the review and expecta the final decisions to be made in coming months.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has also launched a major review of vehicle licensing which could further reduce costs around vehicle licensing, vehicle inspections, and operator licensing.
These reforms could also benefit farmers and Federated Farmers will be closely engaged in this work.
