Would a load of onions carried in a tautliner qualify as perishable goods under French law, so that it could move on a sunday? My guess is “yes” but I’m willing to be corrected.
I say yes as well Mr H. Monk
Have looked at the FRENCH driveing bans site and YES
ONIONS DOES COME UNDER PERISHABLE GOODS
but you must have over a set amont and so no use trying
it with just one pallet as that is a NO NO;
It is/was a full load, (25 pallets) but my buddy reckoned that as it was not in a temperature-controlled trailer, (as stated, it was in a tautliner) then it could not qualify as a perishable load.
I thought that this didn’t matter. Onions perish, end of.
In the event, it was irrelevant as sunday would have been my 7th card but for future reference I would run if possible so I was interested in having the definitive answer so cheers Pete…
I would say no as we used to run spuds up from laon near reims,as spuds and onions can be stored they would not come under perishable load,we did try to run on a sunday with there ministry permission.this worked for around six weeks then they put a stop to it…as they where coming out of a store.
It was then decided to wash the soil off the spuds(another defra problem) they then could be classed as perishable’s,the reason the spuds where washed was because the soil could have been contaminated so could not go back on the land…
We could then run on a sunday as when spuds are washed they do become perishable
GO to the FRENCH DRIVEING BAN on the usefull links
post it will explain that it is allowed to run with onions,
and other vegtables,
Harry Monk:
Onions perish, end of.
so do rubber tyres if you leave them long enough but you wouldn’t get away with a load of them 
- onions aren’t exempt i’m almost sure unless maybe peeled and chilled in a fridge trailer
They are exempt according to THIS booklet regarding truck restrictions in France. On page 5 of the booklet, at the bottom right of the page, it list the items that are considered perishable products or foodstuffs. In among that list you will find the following:
(2) the following individual perishable products: fresh fruit and vegetables including potatoes, onions and garlic ; cut flowers, potted plants and flowers; honey; animal carcasses.
These products are exempt from the restrictions:
on condition that the quantity of animals or perishable products or foodstuffs equals at least half of the available payload or occupies at least half of the vehicle’s loading surface or volume.
No mention is made of the type of vehicle so it must be assumed that it is the product, and quantity of that product, that matters not the type of trailer carrying it.
Print the booklet out and carry it with you in case you carry this load again on a Sunday and are stopped. The Gendarmes would find it hard to argue with it I think, especially as it has a link to a Government website on the last page.
Coffeeholic:
(2) the following individual perishable products: fresh fruit and vegetables including potatoes, onions and garlic ; cut flowers, potted plants and flowers; honey; animal carcasses.
Honey 
That lasts for thousands of years.
Im going on Sunday with a load of Cocoa Butter and that isnt perishable although it is temperature controlled 
jj72:
so do rubber tyres if you leave them long enough but you wouldn’t get away with a load of them
But surely tyres are not a foodstuff?
Thanks Coffeeholic for the reference, I have printed that out and will carry it with me in future, although I suspect the question “Would you like a sack of onions for your wife?” would possibly placate an uncertain flic
Harry Monk:
“Would you like a sack of onions for your wife?” would possibly placate an uncertain flic
I think it depends if his wife is a babe or not as to whether that would be a good swap? 
(2) the following individual perishable products: fresh fruit and vegetables including potatoes, onions and garlic ; cut flowers, potted plants and flowers; honey; animal carcasses.
It does say fresh fruit and vegetables,not those that have come from a store,so perhaps those carrying stored foodstuffs would be running on a sticky wicket
oddsodz:
It does say fresh fruit and vegetables,not those that have come from a store,so perhaps those carrying stored foodstuffs would be running on a sticky wicket
I would say that the relevant definition here was
- not preserved by freezing, canning, pickling, salting, drying, etc.: fresh vegetables.
source www.dictionary.com
However, the plot thickens because the document referred to states that “frozen and deep-frozen foodstuffs” are considered perishable foodstuffs. I thought frozen food couldn’t move on sunday?
Harry Monk:
However, the plot thickens because the document referred to states that “frozen and deep-frozen foodstuffs” are considered perishable foodstuffs. I thought frozen food couldn’t move on sunday?
I always thought that as well, and like you was surprised to see that bit in the booklet. By definition deep frozen isn’t perishable. The other odd bit in the booklet, as Spardo pointed out, is honey, that stuff lasts forever.
a little spoint here in GERMANY frozen goods are not accepted
as perishble, so no sunday driveing here also,
I think it’s okay provided the onions are on a string round your neck and you are riding a bicycle.
muckles:
I think it’s okay provided the onions are on a string round your neck and you are riding a bicycle.
sorted
Im still unsure but Im back without getting captured.
Passed a couple of Gendarmes and they took no notice today.