By Martin Banks - 1st November 2011
The European commission has failed to make a distinction between quads, used for vital farm work, and ATVs
George Lyon
EU regulators have drawn up new 'health and safety' laws that, it is claimed, could see the cost of quad bikes soar 40-60 per cent.
The proposals are intended to improve safety, market competition and to reduce the complexity of existing rules governing motorbikes and quads.
But the move has incensed major manufacturers as well as several MEPs, including Malcolm Harbour and George Lyon.
The UK National Farmers Union (NFU) also described the proposals as 'very worrying'.
Their concerns come after the European commission proposed new rules to improve safety, market competition and to reduce the complexity of existing rules governing motorbikes and quads.
These obligatory safety standards will require manufacturers to bring all new quads up to full road safety specifications.
The NFU said it fears this will make utility ATVs more expensive (by 40-60 per cent) and well as "less suitable for agricultural use and lead to a significant impact on farmer's choice".
Parliament's internal market committee is likely to vote on the proposals in November with a full parliamentary vote in early 2012.
The UK farming unions are now working closely with MEPs to amend the commission proposals before they become law.
A spokesman from the NFU's Brussels office said, "The commission proposal to increase the regulation on ATVs is extremely worrying.
"The technical changes that would be required to fit the regulation could significantly decrease the ATV's off-road ability, completely undermining their current use.
"This will have an immediate and negative impact on work users of these vehicles such as farmers, foresters and emergency services.
"We also estimate that the increased technical standards would make vehicles between 40 and 60 per cent more expensive to design and build.
"We have worked hard through our Brussels office to find a solution and we therefore welcome any efforts to improve the commission proposals and will lobby parliament to support any amendments."
Scottish Liberal deputy George Lyon has tabled amendments to the draft law that he says could have a 'serious' knock-on effect on farmers.
He said, "Quad bikes are an indispensable tool for the farming, forestry and construction industry.
"Farmers use them seven days a week to inspect stock, haul feed and drive cattle and sheep back and forward from farm to fields.
"If this proposal becomes law then many farmers and foresters will be faced with a huge rise in the cost of the bike; insurance costs will go up, maintenance costs will go up and taxes will go up.
"To make matters worse these road-spec bikes will be higher off the ground making them less stable on steep ground and, with a rear differential instead of a fixed back axle, they are likely to lose traction on undulating ground. To cap it all they are likely to be heavier and less powerful.
"The European commission has failed to make a distinction between quads, used for vital farm work, and ATVs which are used as road recreational vehicles."
He added, "I have tabled amendments that will recognise this crucial difference and allow manufacturers to continue making quad bikes that are tailored to the needs of the farming and forestry industry."
