Industry Partners Urge Co-operation to Minimise Working Time Effects on the Agricultural Road Transport Sector
10/03/05

Representatives of AIC, NAAC, nabim, NFU and RHA met in May 2004 to consider ways they can co-operate to obviate or reduce the potentially damaging effects of the Working Time Directive for mobile workers. Now, on the eve of the introduction of the Directive in the UK, the same organisations have reinforced their statement of co-operation.

From 23 March 2005, HGV drivers' average working week and night time shift will be considerably reduced, thus adding to the problems already created by a national shortage of drivers. The agricultural supply industry is heavily reliant on an efficient road transport operation. Timing is critical when feed is delivered to livestock; no less important is the need to avoid delays when transporting grain to a processor or export facility. That is why key industry partners have undertaken to encourage their respective members to do what they can to introduce greater efficiencies to minimise the effects of the new working time restrictions.

Measures such as the following will help to reduce the impact of the new working time restrictions:

Farmers (or their representatives) being in attendance when a haulier visits

Hauliers arriving at farms and delivery points on time and with correct documentation Merchants ensuring that grain of the correct variety and quality is delivered Merchants making adequate arrangements to deal with any problems outside normal office hours Customers facilitating quicker turnaround at delivery points

Additionally, farmers and merchants should ensure that drivers are advised of any delay they may encounter, and how long such a delay may be, either before the driver arrives at their site or as soon as the driver arrives.

* The Working Time Directive for mobile workers (2002/15/EC) was introduced by the EU in 2002. This Directive covers workers who are subject to drivers' rules only and there are no provisions to opt-out from the maximum 48-hour working week. It should be noted that this is separate legislation to the main Working Time Directive that covers the majority of the UK workforce and allows the employees to opt-out of the maximum 48-hour working week. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has been created to promote the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK and develop collaboration throughout the whole food chain. It is the leading voice for the agricultural supply industry and works to provide support and advice for member companies and lobby on their behalf with the aim of influencing and informing policy makers. The contact is AIC Company Secretary, Jeremy Smith.

nabim is the trade association for the UK flour milling industry, processing around five and a half million tonnes of wheat each year. The contact at nabim is Nigel Bennett. The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) is the representative organisation for contractors in the UK who supply all types of land based services to farmers, government, local authorities, sports and recreational facilities. The contact at NAAC is Jill Hewitt. The National Farmers Union (NFU) represents 55,000 agricultural and horticultural businesses. The contact at the NFU is Lisa Wise. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) represents 10,000 transport companies operating within the hire-and-reward section of the industry. The contact at the RHA is Ruth Pott.