Farmers have a key role to play in combating rural crime

Taking place in the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen recently, the meeting was attended by a number of officers from the PSNI and the Fermanagh and Omagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

One of the speakers, Inspector Leslie Badger, reported that the number of agricultural crime offences had fallen by about a third since 2010 and in the past year, there were 42 reported agricultural related crimes in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, compared with 67 cases in the previous year. He said early reports of suspicious activity or suspected criminality is key.

He said there had been dramatic improvements in combatting crime since 2008 but encouraged farmers to continually take steps to avoid their farms being targeted.

Crime affects all aspects of the agricultural industry including quad bikes, tractors and machinery, tools, garden equipment and livestock. In some parts of Northern Ireland the theft of fish is a problem while in other regions, there are spates of sheep rustling and cattle thefts.

In terms of livestock on the road, he said anyone who turned an animal out loose onto a road or was the keeper of an animal found wandering or lying at the side of the road would be guilty of an offence.

A discussion took place among UFU members about how the BVD tissue tag could be a way to store the DNA data of animals and help combat thefts but this has resulted in cost problems.

Constable Niall Elliott, briefing members about road legislation, outlined the rules on using agricultural vehicles on the road.

For anyone passing their car driving test after 1997, there is a restriction on the licence to tow 750 kgs but some cattle trailers are 1150kgs before any animals are loaded.

MAM or Maximum Authorised Mass or Gross Train Weight means the weight of the vehicle including the maximum load that can be carried safely when it is being used on the road. The B1 licence category allows a person to drive a car or van up to 3,500kgs MAM but older farmers with C1E category licences enables them to be in charge of a vehicle with trailer up to 12 tonnes.

He explained how there was a general industry standard of 3.5 tonnes towing capacity of certain vehicles. A vehicle's MAM is shown inside the driver's door or log book or chassis of the trailer.

The Vehicle Gross Train Weight is the total weight of the tractor or pick-up plus the trailer and plus the load. If a trailer is over 750kgs, or over half the car's kerb weight(empty vehicle) then the trailer must be fitted with brakes.

The maximum trailer dimensions towed by vehicles weighting up to 3.5 tonnes is 2.55 metres wide(8 feet 3 inches) and seven metres(23 feet) long.

The speed limit when towing is 50mph on public roads or 60mph on dual carriageways.

The gross laden weight of a tractor and trailer is up to 31 tonnes from April 2016.

For tractors less then 2.45m wide pulling a trailer less than 2.45m wide, may be driven by 16-year-olds with a F category licence but not through 30mph zones. Larger tractors can be driven by those aged 17 years with a F category licence.

Those aged 13 years to 16 years can drive an enclosed cab tractor on agricultural land but not on a public road. No-one under 13 years is legally allowed on tractors.

In terms of lighting, agricultural vehicles with maximum speed of less than 25mph must be fitted with at least one amber warning beacon when travelling on a dual carriageway. Front and rear mounted work lights must not be used on a road during hours of darkness.

In terms of quads, helmets must be worn on or off the road and if it is a road quad, it must be insured. No passengers are allowed on an agricultural quad. Quads must have vehicle excise licence when used on the road and registered as a light agricultural vehicle but there is no cost similar to a tractor. If a quad is used on the public road between sunrise and sunset there is no requirement to fit lights or reflector. At night, the quad must be fitted with the full complement of lighting. However hand signals must be used to indicate slowing down or change or direction.

Tractors with higher speeds also have other regulations such as ABS braking systems, etc.

Flashing beacons are a requirement on dual carriageways but not when a tractor is going through town.

If a tractor driver is hogging the road and not allowing more than six vehicles to overtake, the driver must pull into the left.

In terms of ages, no children under the age of 13 are allowed to be carried on a tractor.

Another issue can be mud on the roads from carrying out field work during wet times. The police get many calls on this from people who have moved to the countryside and Constable Elliott advised farmers to make an effort to clean up the road. The duty of care is on everyone to ensure they did not leave mud or debris deposits on the road.

During agricultural activities, farmers must take all reasonable steps to mitigate hazards to all road users by erecting signage and cleaning the road as soon as possible.

When livestock is moved along or across a road the person moving the livestock must ensure the safety of other road users including cleaning the road surface afterwards and appropriate signage at regular crossings.

Advice to farmers to reduce the risk of rural crime;

Farm Security

- Restrict access to the yard by installing gates and keeping them locked.

- Make plant and equipment less attractive to thieves by making them more distinctive.

- Keep a register of equipment noting serial numbers, markings, colour, etc along with photographs.

- Store tools and smaller machinery in a building with enhanced security features.

- Join Farm Watch and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes.

Roberta Simmons from the UFU Headquarters also addressed members about their new training unit.

Courses in pesticides, rodenticides and telehandlers, are being organised through Countryside Services and UFU members receive a 20 per cent discount on the fees. The courses are carried out by Lantra approved instructors.