MEPs have defeated controversial EU proposals which could have rendered quad bikes useless on farms. The European Commission proposals for new speed limits and design features were meant to make All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) safer on the road, but the NFU argued the rules would remove the ability of ATVs to perform off-road - and for no worthwhile safety gain.

The NFU say it was a victory for common sense. The MEPs voted on their changes in Strasbourg earlier this week.

NFU regulatory affairs adviser Ben Ellis said: “Of course safety is our top priority for farmers using ATVs, but the proposed rules would have reduced the ability of ATVs to perform everyday functions.

“It isn’t appropriate for these vehicles to be built to the same standards as vehicles used on the road. For example, one of the Commission’s safety suggestions was for a reduction in ground clearance to increase stability on the road, but this would have been dangerous and unworkable off the road.

 “There were other design requirements to meet strict controls on things like noise and emissions which would have added a huge and prohibitive cost - up to 60 per cent - to the vehicle. The design requirements would also add weight to the vehicle making it harder to carry out day to day tasks such as towing and climbing. Another particular worrying element was the proposal to limit speeds to 40km/h, making the on-farm use of ATVs almost impractical.

 “We have long argued for ATVs for on-farm use to be classified in the ‘T’ agricultural and forestry category, and now that they will be, many of our initial concerns have been rectified. There is still much work to do in the coming months however, as the detail of the ‘T’ category is debated in Brussels.”