Brussels, 04/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Agricultural and forestry tractor manufacturers will, in principle, have to meet tougher carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emission limit values from 1 January 2011. However, the economic and financial crisis has hit this sector very hard and it is having difficulty in funding the technological research and development necessary if tractors are to be fitted with engines that can meet the new limits within the set deadline. The Commission has, therefore, just put a proposal to the European Parliament (EP) and Council that current provisions be relaxed so as to give tractor makers some breathing space.
Under the terms of the current legislation (Directives 2000/25/EC, 2004/26/EC and 2005//EC), diesel engines have to meet what are referred to as “Stage III A” emission limits. From 1 January 2011, more stringent “Stage III B” limits will be phased in. To meet these new limits, current engines will have to undergo major modification and technical options for complying with these limits have not yet been finalised. The Commission says that “substantial further research and technological development is needed to ensure that tractors can be placed on the market with III B compliant engines”.
It suggests, then, amending the provisions of the so-called flexibility scheme that was put in place by the legislation. For each engine power category, this scheme allows manufacturers to put either a limited number of tractors, not exceeding 20% of annual sales, or a fixed number of tractors as stipulated in the directive (this option is aimed at small companies) fitted with engines that still comply with the emission limits of the previous stage on the market during the period of one stage of exhaust limit values. This means that the Commission is now proposing to allow manufacturers, for each category of engine power, to put on the market a number of tractors - up to 50% of their annual sales - that meet Stage III A specifications. It also suggests a change to the maximum number of tractors that can be put on the market under the second option. The measure, which aims to ease the transition from Stage III A to Stage III B, will expire on 31 December 2013. The proposal has been submitted to the EP and the Council. (O.L./transl.rt)