'Maximum effort for postponement rules'

The new approval requirement for transport vehicles has taken the agricultural sector by surprise. Branch organization Fedecom says it is doing everything it can to achieve a postponement. Not every manufacturer is ready for the rules. Theo Vulink, branch manager at Fedecom, explains how things are going.

For many, the duty of approval for towed agricultural vehicles as a surprise. There was little or nothing to read about it in the media. Not even all manufacturers have their affairs in order. Branch organization Fedecom argues for a postponement at the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management (I&W). Boerenbusiness asked branch manager Theo Vulink how it could have come to this.

Fedecom says it is surprised with the introduction of an approval requirement. Was nothing known beforehand?
"The outlines for the European approval requirement were already presented in 2014. However, there was still a discussion about the details; mainly specific requirements. The Ministry of I&W has been unclear about the actual implementation. In the Netherlands there has always been talk of 1 package, whereby number plate was also introduced. This is also what manufacturers took into account."

Why is the new approval requirement such an issue for the Netherlands?
"Other European countries can fall back on their national inspection requirements. In Germany, for example, this is the TÜV inspection. Before this approval requirement, the European Union (EU) did not have a central approval. A manufacturer therefore had to have its machines inspected per country. The Netherlands has never had this inspection obligation, because the vehicles must be registered for this. This is easiest with a registration obligation, which we do not have."

Is there an authority in the Netherlands that may inspect the vehicles?
"This is done in the Netherlands by the RDW. This process has already been initiated and they are able to inspect the transport vehicles (category R) and trailed equipment (category S). The RDW is allowed to inspect for admission throughout the EU. still more needs to be invested. Authorities in other countries are also allowed to inspect tools that are allowed in the Netherlands. However, not all manufacturers were prepared for this and were therefore surprised by the speed."

Fedecom has asked the ministry for a postponement. Do you think it will come too?
"In mid-December, together with other organizations such as Cumela, we presented a petition to the House of Representatives to introduce the registration number for agricultural vehicles as soon as possible. The implementation of the new regulations is going too fast. That is why we have asked for a 1 year delay. Hopefully there will be an answer to this soon. We are making every effort."

Is anyone at risk who bought an unapproved tipper or trailed machine in 2018?
"Checking non-approved vehicles is difficult, because the Netherlands does not have a registration obligation. It is a gray area. The December 2016 bill for the tractor registration number states that vehicles behind a tractor that travels 25 kilometers per hour carry the same registration number, on a white number plate. This bill also states that combinations that want to drive 40 kilometers per hour must have their own license plate. This approval requirement is separate from that. Compare it with the car world. A trailer must always be inspected."

Niels van der Boom

Niels van der Boom is a senior market specialist for arable crops at DCA Market Intelligence. He mainly makes analyses and market updates about the potato market. In columns he shares his sharp view on the arable sector and technology.

n.vanderboom@boerenbusiness. Nl

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