MORE must be done to urgently address the fuel filter blocking problems afflicting agricultural machinery since changes were made to fuel composition.

As issues with blocked filters once again begin to emerge across the UK, NFU Scotland has highlighted that farmers are being stopped in their tracks with no sign of recompense or solutions to the issue, which was first raised in October 2019.

The specification and standards of fuel has been cited as the root of the problem – specifically, the inclusion of a portion of 'biofuel' that attracts water and forms unwanted solids – but the introduction of improvements to fuel specifications has since been too slow, said the union, and farmers were still being left with the cost of repair, new filter replacements and vehicle down-time.

When these problems first emerged 18 months ago, NFUS received more than 400 reports of filter blocking from across Scotland, costing some individuals thousands of pounds in repair and replacement of parts and fuel treatments. Joint lobbying work between NFUS and NFU saw the Department of Transport and British Standards Institution (BSI) set up a taskforce, in which UK farming unions still participate, to assess and resolve the problems.

However, progress through the taskforce has been described as 'painfully slow' and almost two years on, there has been no overarching solution while the problems of fuel filter blockages continue to impact farmers and crofters throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.

NFUS transport advisor and representative on the taskforce, Jamie Smart, said: “Urgent and focused action must be taken to address filter blocking. The taskforce has had some small wins regarding changes to fuel specifications but getting those changes into the fuel supply chain have been delayed.

“Testing of fuel samples has shown that most fuels reach current standards, however given that some fuel is still blocking filters and causing vehicle breakdowns. it is simply not fit for purpose. As a result, fuel filter blockages in tractors and motorised farm machinery remain a regular and costly problem for many Scottish farmers and crofters," said Mr Smart.

“If members are having problems, I urge them to check the fuel filter hub that NFUS has created on its website for members. You can also get in touch with your Regional Manager or NFUS' Agricultural Vehicle Helpline to report it.”

Vice president Robin Traquair added: “The continued problems related to filter blocking are unacceptable. As farmers and crofters, we are purchasing fuel from reputable suppliers and we need that fuel to be reliable for our businesses, so we can continue to put food on the nation’s table.

“The filter blocking issues have meant that some filters are lasting for a tiny proportion of their intended use. The cost of repair, down time, and replacement parts are being shouldered solely by the users," said Mr Traquair.

“It isn’t the responsibility of farmers to ensure fuel is fit for purpose, but it is the situation we keep finding ourselves in. It’s up to BSI and the fuel chain to push forward with the specification changes to ensure the fuel is fit for purpose and filter blocking problems are resolved once and for all.”

• NFUS members are entitled to a 20-minute free advice call on all issues relating to vehicles via the Transport Helpline. Call Jamie Smart on 07733 136 424 or email: agrivehelp@nfus.org.uk to access help. Member-only information and a checklist about what you can do to manage premature filter blocking is available on the NFU Scotland Filter Blocking Hub, available at: https://www.nfus.org.uk/policy/legal-and-technical/fuel-filter-blocking.aspx