The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed it will take a ‘pragmatic’ approach to the number of hours worked by drivers involved in transporting imported fodder during the crisis period.

Under EU law, the number of hours a driver can work is limited but during inspections between 6 April and 20 April, any deviation from the driving legislation will be relaxed providing the extra work relates to the haulage of animal fodder.

Dairygold announced that they were importing 2,500t of fodder from the UK and France last week with ongoing deliveries expected this week.

Kerry, Lakelands and Glanbia have also confirmed that they are importing fodder in the wake of continued national fodder shortages affecting farmers.

The move to relax road haulage rules has come after a consultation between the Department of Transport, the Department of Agriculture and the RSA.

However, drivers aren’t encouraged to work longer hours unless absolutely necessary and the rule that drivers take breaks after four and half hours driving will remain in force.

The RSA has stated that they will also take a pragmatic approach with regard to weekly rest, where a driver takes on more than one reduced weekly rest over a two week driving period in respect of fodder deliveries.

The RSA has also insisted that drivers should never feel under pressure to drive while tired, and that drivers must keep records of fodder transport and deliveries.

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