News

The Department for Transport (DfT) last week relaxed the restrictions on drivers' hours rules that were brought in to combat the foot and mouth outbreak. The relaxation of the restrictions, which has been welcomed by hauliers' associations, will allow more movement of animals outside the main foot and mouth risk areas, which will help to clear the backlog of healthy animals stranded by the outbreaks.

The Road Haulage  Association says it is "disappointed that the DfT took so long to do the obvious but is no less welcome". Transport secretary Ruth Kelly says: "This is an important time for farmers and livestock owners. Therefore, after careful consideration, when movements to livestock markets are permitted in low-risk areas we will be relaxing the rules governing drivers' hours."

The relaxation means that drivers will have:

• a daily driving limit of 10 hours instead of nine
• a weekly rest period of 24 hours, instead of 45
• no weekly or fortnightly driving time limits (currently 56 and 90 hours).

Total permitted working time – when a driver is at work rather than just driving – is being increased by 10% from 60 to 66 hours. Information on the foot and mouth risk areas and low-risk areas is available on the website of the Department for Environment Food  and Rural Affairs.