Farmers win reprieve from new tractor rules

Farmers have won a reprieve from rules forcing them to label tractors and trailers with information on towing capacity.

The new rules, which are part of a raft of safety measures for heavy transport vehicles, are due to take effect on October 1.

Farmers say the rules are "ill thought-out".

Federated Farmers of New Zealand spokesman Hugh Ritchie said police had agreed they would not be enforcing them for farmers.

"The federation believes the new rules are impractical and, in some cases, compliance is impossible," he said.

"The information required to be displayed was neither available nor relevant for most equipment."

There had been "considerable concern" among the rural community that the rules would impact adversely on many agricultural businesses, Mr Ritchie said.

Last week about 250 people attended a "volatile" meeting of farmers, growers and rural contractors in south Auckland to discuss the new rules.

A spokeswoman for Land Transport New Zealand confirmed that police had agreed not to prosecute agricultural workers pending further talks with farmers.

She said Federated Farmers were among groups consulted during the formation of the new regulations, but only farmers had had on-going problems with that aspect.

- NZPA