Lyons hits out at driving time restriction ruling

A EUROPEAN Parliament vote which was only narrowly passed could have a devastating effect on Scottish agriculture in the opinion of George Lyon, one of Scotland's MEPs.

The debate on the European Working Time Directive saw the Commission seek to exclude self-employed drivers from working time rules but this was defeated in the European Parliament.

Lyon said he did not believe that self-employed lorry drivers needed to be protected from themselves.

"In striking down the Commission's common sense exclusion of self-employed drivers from the Directive, the European Parliament has set a dangerous precedent. It is quite clear this issue is being driven by ideology and not common sense.

"There is not a shred of evidence to suggest that limiting working hours improves road safety. It will add another layer of bureaucracy and cost to the road haulage industry."