Members Granted Exemption to Overdimension Rule

11 December, 2002
PR164/200
Federated Farmers Members Granted Exemption to Overdimension Rule

The Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) is to be congratulated for finding a solution to the ban on the use of overdimension agricultural vehicles on the road over the Christmas holiday period, says Hugh Ritchie, transport spokesman for Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc).

"The LTSA has issued Federated Farmers with an exemption from the ban on the use of Category 2 overdimension agricultural vehicles over the 2002/2003 Christmas holiday period. Members will need to carry this exemption in their vehicles," said Mr Ritchie.

"Federated Farmers also ensured that the LTSA provided an exemption to the NZ Vegetable and Potato Growers' Federation."

In July this year the LTSA introduced a new Vehicle Dimension and Mass Rule removing a previous exemption that allowed overdimension agricultural vehicles, essential for harvesting to operate on the road over the Christmas period.

This new rule prohibits all Category 2 overdimension vehicles from operating on the road from 23 December 2002 to 3 January 2003 inclusive, unless those vehicles are individually certified as meeting performance requirements. Category 2 Agricultural vehicles are generally those between 3.7 and 4.5 metres in width, including some combine harvesters, pea harvesters, potato planters, balers and spray rigs.

"This situation was clearly unworkable for the agricultural sector which is in the middle of harvest and does not shut down over Christmas and the New Year," said Mr Ritchie. "So the Federation requested the LTSA provide an immediate short-term solution for this Christmas and investigate a permanent solution early in 2003.

"The LTSA investigated a number of options and concluded that providing Federated Farmers with a exemption was the best option.

"Federated Farmers members wishing to operate such vehicles over this period should contact us on 0800 327 646 and obtain their copy of the exemption. Individual Permits are available from the LTSA "Overdimension Permit Issuing Agency (OPIA) on 0800 683 774."

ENDS

© Scoop Media