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Animal ag gets waiver from "hours of service" rule
Story Date: 7/14/2015
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Source: NC PORK COUNCIL, 7/1315
America's hog, cattle and poultry farmers have been granted a two-year waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation hours-of-service rule for certain drivers.
The rule, issued in mid-2013 by DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest break for every eight hours of service. It would have prohibited drivers hauling livestock and poultry from caring for animals during the rest period.
NPPC, on behalf of other livestock, poultry and food organizations, in 2013 petitioned the FMCSA for a waiver and exemption from complying with the regulation. The groups this spring asked the FMCSA to renew the waiver and to extend it for the two-year maximum allowable under federal law.
In petitioning the agency, the livestock organizations noted that the rule would cause livestock producers irreparable harm, place the health and welfare of the livestock in their care at risk and provide no apparent increased benefit to public safety.
The groups also pointed that the livestock and poultry industries have programs - such as pork's Transport Quality Assurance program - that educate drivers on transportation safety and animal welfare.
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