MEPs have agreed a new plan for stricter rules on emissions for non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). This includes field machinery such as harvesters, but not tractors.

Under the new rules, all engines will be categorised by their power output, with each category having its own emission limits for carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter levels. These new rules will come into implementation in 2018.

One of the aims of the new directive is to start an engine performance monitoring system, which would examine the differences between emission figures gathered in a laboratory setting and those gathered outside of the laboratory. MEPs have also called for the possibility of fitting all NRMM with an emission control device, to monitor each machine.

Ulrich Adam, secretary general of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers’ association CEMA, said: “The final compromise found between the EU institutions strikes a good balance between improving air quality and maintaining the competitiveness of the European machine manufacturing industry.”

As reported by the Irish Farmers Journal at the start of the process last year, the proposed new rules for NRMM cover combustion engines in harvesting, agricultural and construction machinery, inland waterway vessels and diesel.

The EU

The vote was put to the European Parliament on Wednesday, with MEPs approving the motion by 623 votes to 57. Italian MEP Elisabetta Gardini, who held negotiations with the Council of Ministers on the matter, said this new ruling is needed in order to improve air quality and to enhance EU citizen’s lives.

Ministers representing EU member states had previously agreed to the proposed legislation at an informal meeting, and it is now expected to be approved shortly.

At present, air pollution is estimated to cost the EU between €330 and €940bn each year.

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