There are many rules and regulations to be adhered to in the haulage industry no matter what area a haulier specialises in. Legislation is always changing and it is essential for transport operators to keep up to date with what’s going on.
Various different licences or certs are required to cover hauliers in many different sectors and this is the case in the transportation of animal feeds.
Donegal based O’Brien Transport provides a general haulage service specialising in bulk feed haulage. To carry out their duties, they had to join the Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC).
TASCC was developed because farmers and end users wanted to be sure that crops of grain, oilseeds and pulses were treated responsibly once they left the farm. That includes wheat processed by flour millers and malting barley for the brewers and distillers in the drinks industry. It provides independent verification that the trade is meeting food safety laws.
The scheme is audited and certified by an independent certification body, in accordance with the internationally recognised standard EN45011. This means that the certification body is itself independently assessed every year to ensure that the standard is implemented and administered consistently and fairly.
The scheme dovetails with UFAS and with the UK livestock assurance (Red Tractor) schemes which the major supermarkets make a requirement for the home-produced livestock products they buy.
TASCC is also recognised within the food industry as being essential to maintaining traceability of assured combinable crops after they have left the farm.
The Scheme is made up of a Scheme Manual and four codes of practice (Storage, Haulage, Merchants and Testing Facilities). The Storage Scheme is operated to a joint scheme with the Grain and Feed Trade Association (GAFTA) covering combinable crops and feed materials.
“We have been members of TASCC since it was first introduced. We are audited every year and this entails all our records being check and ensuring that there is full traceability on all goods that we handle. Our haulage licence must be in date, while it is important that there is no cross-contamination as in all the trucks and trailers must be washed down after every load and ensuring that different feeds we carry don’t get mixed,” said James O’Brien who runs the business alongside his father Jim, while other family members including his two sisters Angela and Patricia (office admin), son Christopher (mechanic), brother Paul and brother-in-law Stuart (drivers) are also involved.
“We keep everything right and that makes it easier to stay on top of things. There is a lot of paperwork involved, but it is all for the good of the industry. This is a very competitive industry and you won’t succeed by taking shortcuts.”
Operating in bulk transport has seen O’Brien Transport build up a long lasting relationship with their customers, many of who have been with the company that was first established in 1966 by Jim O’Brien, decades now.
“In all aspects of work that we do, we would have good relationship with our customers. Aside from the animal feeds, we would also do some quarry work and other general haulage. Our trailers would include bulk tippers and curtainsiders. We have recently bought new tippers and we keep the fleet very well maintained. A mechanic comes to the yard to carry out any maintenance or repairs needed.”
Located in Mountain Park, Raphoe, Co Donegal, a lot of O’Brien Transport’s business sees them cross the border into Northern Ireland and this comes at a price.
“We would cross the border on a daily basis and each time we cross over, we have to pay a £10 road user levy. This is monitored by VOSA and if you are caught without paying, it is a £300 on the spot fine, so it is important to pay the levy.
“It is an extra expense, but there is not much that we can do about it. There are serious overheads in this industry, but to be fair the likes of diesel prices and tax have come down. Insurance is still a massive issue, but you have to play accordingly.”
James admitted that at present business was good and he took the opportunity to thank their customers for their loyal support over the years.
“We are lucky to have a very good customer base and we look forward to supplying them with our services for many years to come. The summer months are quiet enough for us as from October to May would be our busy period, but we are happy with the direction that the company is going. It is our aim to continue the level of service that we provide, while ensuring that our customers are happy.”
Contact Details:
O’Brien Transport
Mountain Park,
Raphoe,
Co Donegal
Tel: 074 914 5354 (office), 087 251 9112 (James), 087 354 9114 (Christopher)
email: [email protected]
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 7, October/November 2017
