The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation opposing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s proposed changes to driver hours of service rules, which were published in the Federal Register on Dec. 29, 2010.

The council comprises the members of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation.

The proposed regulations, the council said in a news release, would further restrict the time truck drivers may drive and be on duty. “If implemented, the regulations would have a substantial, negative impact on productivity and the economy,” the release said. Poultry companies would have to put more trucks and drivers on the road, increasing costs and congestion, and potentially using less-experienced drivers which could increase the risks, the council said.

“[The] proposal seems to ignore the simple fact that the American Trucking Association reports trucking’s safety performance has improved at an unprecedented rate while operating under the current hours of service regulations that became effective in 2004,” the council said.

To read the joint council’s comments in depth, click here. 

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