NFU's overload suppor on 'due diligence' claus
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FARMERS are supporting the Road Haulage Association in its paign for a "due diligence" clause to be allowed in cases w lorries are technically but not grossly overloaded.
National Farmers Union transport committee chairman Peter Fox has written to Transport Secretary David Howell, saying the NFU supports the long-running RHA campaign for such a clause to apply where the I operator has done his bet avoid overloading a vehicle.
The NFU is particularly I for this to apply where a vel brakes in an emergency ar load of grain shifts forward c the front axle loading. It bell' such a violent braking w. show up on a tachograph c to back up the operator's cas It is also concerned al cases where part of a loa taken off at a farm where the no facility for moving the re the load on to the rear axle I ing, but the vehicle rem loaded within its permi gross weight.
A spokesman for the NFU CM that many farms havE lifting facilities. He also poi out that there was no questic the NFU condoning gr overloading.
This support was ackr !edged last weekend by director-general Freddie kett, who told members in rogate that the NFU wa powerful ally in the battle.
It does not alter the disac ment which persists betv+ the two organisations c vehicle excise duty concess for farmers' goods vehicles. RHA still wants the "F-licer concession withdrawn, althc the NFU is fighting this. Government has indicated prepared to consider reducir • see p13