Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar said he “recognises” the problem the reduction of trailer heights has had on the transport of fodder but confirmed that he is not interested in providing a derogation to the ruling.

In response to a letter from the ICMSA, Minister Varadkar said he made the decision to lower the height trailer limit from 5m to 4.65m for “road safety” reasons and would be altering the ruling.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chair of Fine Gael’s agriculture committee Martin Heydon said he is continuing to push for a change to the height restrictions.

The deputy submitted a draft Statutory Instrument to Minister Varadkar and his officials before Christmas to allow them to consider a possible solution to the on-going issue of a 4.65m height restriction on trailers which, he acknowledged: “is having a huge impact on the transportation of fodder for farmers”.

Minister Varadkar has confirmed that his officials are examining deputy Heydon’s proposals and a decision will be made in the coming weeks.