Rural contractors have asked that the new Ministry for Regulation be tasked with reducing what they say is a maze of red tape on the regulations surrounding agricultural vehicles.
Andrew Olsen, CEO of Rural Contractors NZ, says if one of his members is driving a vehicle on a public road that is even narrowly over-weight or over-dimension, they need to have a corresponding vehicle licence and permit. If they haven’t got the right paperwork, non-compliance notices can be issued by Police Commercial Vehicles Investigation Units. For the rural contractor to continue with the harvest, they need an exemption permit in case they are pulled over again.
“This is where the regulatory jungle starts,” says Andrew Olsen. “Different applications need to be made to NZTA, local councils and I understand even the rail authority. Bridge Engineering Self Supervision permits are also required in some cases.”
He says RCNZ has made it clear to members that they need to apply without delay to ensure their overweight/over-dimension permits are lodged. “Some non-compliance notices have recently been issued during the crucial maize harvest. Given the feed deficit faced by many farmers due to a dry summer, there are potential production and animal welfare ramifications if members cannot get back to work quickly.”
Andrew Olsen says he’s asking David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, to task his ministry with cutting through the red tape.
“There’s a complex tangle of permits, weights, restrictions, requirements and supervision for agricultural vehicles which need, at times, to travel at low speeds for short distances on local roads and state highways. While rural contractors are principally affected, there will be farmers who are caught with this same confusing mesh of red tape which does not support agriculture and the Government’s aim of doubling of export targets,” says Andrew Olsen.