Agricultural Machinery: Theft

(asked on 26th January 2024) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will consult the Agricultural Engineers Association on the drafting of regulations under the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 31st January 2024

The Government supported the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which gained Royal Assent on 20 July 2023. The Act will require immobilisers and forensic marking to be fitted as standard to specified new agricultural equipment such as All-Terrain Vehicles and quad bikes. The Act provides a power for the Secretary of State to extend these requirements to other equipment designed for use in agricultural or commercial activities, via secondary legislation.

The Government committed to consult prior to introducing secondary legislation, to assess the feasibility of including hand-held power tools and larger agricultural equipment within the secondary legislation, and to ensure that practical considerations for manufacturers and retailers are considered fully.

A Call for Evidence was published, seeking views on these detailed matters and specifically targeted at those who may be affected by the proposals should they become legislation, including manufacturers, dealers, retailers, tradespeople and law enforcement practitioners. The call for evidence closed on 13 July and the Government’s response will be published in due course.

The Home Office is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the development of this legislation. I met retailers and manufacturers of power tools on 29 January to understand their views and the potential implications of this legislation, including the Agricultural Engineers Association.

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