The farming industry has won a five-year reprieve from EU health and safety directives that could have limited tractor drivers to two hours behind the wheel.

Tory MEPs and UK farmers have opposed a European health and safety directive on Whole Body Vibration (WBV) - said to be a cause of back injury- that would have prescribed daily limits for drivers of industrial vehicles.

The NFU had warned that the proposals would cost cash strapped farmers and industry £4 billion to implement and farmers argued that there is no scientific evidence to support claims that link health problems to tractor driving.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

A spokeswoman for the Countryside Alliance told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the five year derogation for farmers, but believe the legislation puts sensible business practice under pressure.

"We see this as another direct threat to rural livelihoods with unnecessary red tape. We call upon the European parliament to provide the scientific evidence to justify this legislation and seek assurances from the government that they will be fighting for the British farmer."

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

A spokesman for the Country Land and Business Association told ePolitix.com: "We are very pleased to see common sense prevail."