A northern MP has tackled farmers’ fears that new government laws on gangmasters may impact on machinery rings.

Berwick MP Alan Beith said he has gained assurances from the government that the new law to licence gangmasters would not affect machinery rings, set up by farmers to share machinery and manpower.

He said: “Modern agricultural equipment such as combine harvesters can be extremely expensive to purchase, yet it is often only needed for a short period of the year.

“It makes sound financial sense for farmers to share their resources, but because farmers loan each other workers to operate machinery, or to help with large tasks, there were fear that this could mean their arrangements would need to be covered by gangmaster licences under the new legislation.”

He said he has been assured that machinery rings would be included in the exemptions of the new act.

“I am glad the government will not be placing additional pressure on farmers who need our support. I will be monitoring the progress of the regulations to ensure the machinery ring exemption is not forgotten.”

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