THE farming industry is fighting back against machinery thefts that have left farmers and contractors out of pocket by millions of pounds.
Using high-tech wizardry, combined with better security measures and improved information gathering, it is hoped to put the thieves out of business.
In a multi-pronged approach rural insurer NFU Mutual has joined forces with the police, machinery manufacturers and a high-technology security database to make it harder for organised gangs to steal and export farm machinery.
Mini excavators are the most desirable pieces of kit targeted by thieves, closely followed by tractors and tele-handlers.
John Deere, Massey Ferguson and JCB are the more popular brands that are being stolen to order.
The latest incidences of theft have centered around the Ballymena area with a three-tonne Hitachi digger, worth £10,000, stolen last weekend. An Ifor Williams trailer worth £4,000 was also taken from another location.
Farm machinery thefts cost the UK industry an estimated £22.9 million in 2008 as organised gangs, fuelled by high arable prices in Eastern Europe and a shortage of agricultural machinery, stole to order from under Northern Ireland farmers' noses.
Police have tracked stolen tractors to Poland and Latvia, and in one extreme case, a John Deere tractor was recovered in Australia.
"Agricultural machinery theft has become a very costly and inconvenient feature of farming and as the country’s largest rural insurer, we’re determined to take action to protect our customers," said Lindsay Sinclair, NFU Mutual Group chief executive.
"This worrying trend is being driven by a world shortage of new farm machinery following an upturn in arable farm incomes and large-scale investment in agriculture in Eastern Europe."
He explained that in the past two years there had been a significant increase in the number of tractors being stolen ‘to order’ often for immediate export from channel ports to destinations including Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
NFU Mutual’s own claim figures show that the number of farm machinery thefts across the UK rose by 15 per cent in 2008. The insurer estimates that machinery theft cost the industry £22.9 million that same year.
Launching the scheme in Northern Ireland, NFU Mutual regional director Martin Malone said: "Machinery theft has become a major problem for Northern Ireland’s farmers in recent years.
"By working closely with customers, police, manufacturers and security specialists we have developed an approach which not only makes it harder for thieves to steal farm machinery – but also helps police and customs track down stolen tractors in the UK and abroad."


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November 20th 2009
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