Farmers can now use Red Diesel

[Plug550]

Ok, so it's only in this cold snap, but hey, you don't normally get much from the HMRC!

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/red-diesel.htm

HMRC confirmed today that during extreme weather farmers can use red diesel in their tractors to help grit and clear snow from public roads.
Under normal rules any vehicle that is specifically constructed or adapted for dealing with frost, ice and snow – such as a snow plough – can work on public roads while using red diesel.
HMRC recognises the vital role played by farmers in helping to keep rural roads clear. So during this period of extreme weather HMRC will adopt a pragmatic approach to the rules. This means tractors on public roads clearing snow or gritting to provide access to schools, hospitals, a remote dwelling, or communities cut off by ice and snow are entitled to use red diesel.

[thinfourth2]

Makes a change from them stopping farmers from being decent folk.

I do hope this is a sign of things to come from our glorious leaders

[TimJMS]

I've been doing this anyway out of good neighbourliness. Nice to know I'm not going to be criminalised.

[thinfourth2]

TimJMS said:

I've been doing this anyway out of good neighbourliness. Nice to know I'm not going to be criminalised.

The farmers round here have been doing it as well

But hard to prove they were doing it to be pleasant or just happened to be driving to the fields

[TimJMS]

Damning with faint praise! I can assure you there is nothing a purely arable combinable cropping man can be doing in his fields ATM. Spraying snow? Veg men - a different matter.

[Tumbler]

What a shame it has taken HMRC so long to confirm this, it should automatically come into force during certain conditions, how hard can it be given we've has so many 'reviews'

[Larry Dickman]

But what happens in a week or so when the snow has thawed, do they have to drain their tanks just in case there is any trace of red left? If I was a farmer I wouldn't like to get my tank dipped in a months time if I was using red today.

[TimJMS]

Agricultural machinery generally runs on cherry. If they were dipped and traces of white were found there'd be no rebate

[Larry Dickman]

Good point

[Patrick Bateman]

thinfourth2 said:

Makes a change from them stopping farmers from being decent folk.

I do hope this is a sign of things to come from our glorious leaders

Am I the only one who had this come to mind-

[XDA]

It's not really a change though, as farm machinery has been running on red for years.

[Magic919]

XDA said:

It's not really a change though, as farm machinery has been running on red for years.

Durr. But they haven't been allowed to clear the roads whilst running on red diesel.

[TimJMS]

XDA said:

It's not really a change though, as farm machinery has been running on red for years.

Within certain rules. Which are being tightened. Many tractors you see on roads will be running on white. Particularly those JCB Fastrac ones that are still manufactured here. Amazingly.

[thinfourth2]

TimJMS said:

Damning with faint praise! I can assure you there is nothing a purely arable combinable cropping man can be doing in his fields ATM. Spraying snow? Veg men - a different matter.

Well for some strange reason the farmer has to suddenly drive past my house despite there being nothing in the fields

he can't be clearing the roads he must be going between empty fields

[TimJMS]

thinfourth2 said:

TimJMS said:

Damning with faint praise! I can assure you there is nothing a purely arable combinable cropping man can be doing in his fields ATM. Spraying snow? Veg men - a different matter.

Well for some strange reason the farmer has to suddenly drive past my house despite there being nothing in the fields

he can't be clearing the roads he must be going between empty fields

The Farmer. Its like we are some other race. "Are you the farmer?, I'm not from London, you know."

Perhaps, as mentioned earlier he is a veg producer? Leeks, Carrots, Spuds?

Where are you from? That'd give me a clearer picture.

[MJK 24]

I thought they could legally run on red on the public roads and without paying road tax as long as they're within 10 miles of their registered address?

This always used to be the case though it's been over 10 years since I drove a tractor on the roads.

[XDA]

Magic919 said:

Durr. But they haven't been allowed to clear the roads whilst running on red diesel.

Not exactly. We were permitted to use red to clear snow for access, before this change by HMRC. This included our own farm tracks or on the public highway to clear the route for livestock collections, feed deliveries or milk collections.

That didn't include gritting, no. But we did clear the roads.

Hence my original reply. Know your stuff before correcting others...

TimJMS said:

Within certain rules. Which are being tightened. Many tractors you see on roads will be running on white. Particularly those JCB Fastrac ones that are still manufactured here. Amazingly.

If the tractor is being used soley for "agricultural" purposes then it legally runs on red. I would be surprised to hear of a farmer draining out his red, just because he's going to be driving on a road.

I struggle to see why a farmer would be driving a tractor on the road for any other reason but for agricultural use?

[The Black Flash]

XDA said:

I struggle to see why a farmer would be driving a tractor on the road for any other reason but for agricultural use?

Guy near me sometimes uses his to go to the supermarket in. Always makes me smile to see it in the car park

[Willy Nilly]

I would he road expect that the contracts for clearing the roads includes enough money to buy full fat derv, so my theory is that farmers have been aloud to run on cherryade for a bit is because they would need to be able to drive to a place with derv to put some in the tractor in the first place. It would be interesting to here what tractor fuel consumption on snow ploughing compared to a lorry.

Here are some possible reasons a tractor would be driving around in the snow.

Livestock farmer going to check stock

Arable farmer going to put some crow bangers out

Me going home for breakfast because it was too snowy to go back on my bike

[TimJMS]

XDA said:

I struggle to see why a farmer would be driving a tractor on the road for any other reason but for agricultural use?

Well personally being ring fenced I don't and on the odd occasion when I've found myself on a public road in a tractor I've utterly hated it. I would'nt actually ask anyone anymore to do this for me. Speed differentials are simply too great and its asking for trouble IMHO.

Edited by TimJMS on Saturday 4th December 13:10