DEAR SIR: Tractor runs are a common event all around our country. Not a weekend goes by where there is a tractor run in some village or town in Ireland. They are a popular community event and raise essential funds for all kinds of charities and organisations.

However, emissions from tractors are a major source of air pollution.

I want to encourage those who are organising tractor runs to think of an alternative way of fundraising money

Harmful emissions which are blown out through the exhaust of a tractor include particulate matter (soot), hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is the most infamous of these emissions and is said to contribute to global warming.

I wrote this letter because I am calling for a ban on tractor runs.

I want to encourage those who are organising tractor runs to think of an alternative way of fundraising money which is more environmentally friendly.

Communities could hold a sponsored native tree planting day (maybe €100 for each tree planted), plant/bulb sale, bring and buy sale/charity auction, family fun day, charity football/hurling match, table quiz night, scrap metal collection, coffee morning, cards night (45, poker, etc), drama/concert.

Tractors should not be used for recreational purposes

These are a few fundraising ideas which certainly have a lesser impact on the environment and some of which will benefit our environment.

I am a farmer myself and I believe tractors should only be used for their practical purposes around the farm.

Tractors should not be used for recreational purposes, wasting diesel driving unnecessarily on our roads and pumping harmful fumes into the air we breathe. The same goes for car and lorry runs. Please make your new years resolution for 2020 not to partake in a tractor run. Thanks for reading.

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