U.S. poultry, hog and cattle and producers have been granted a two-year waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 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.
NCC in 2013 joined several agriculture, food and livestock groups in petitioning FMCSA, noting the the rule would cause livestock producers and their drivers irreparable harm, place the health and welfare of the livestock in their care at risk and provide no apparent increased benefit to public safety – and likely decrease public safety – while forcing the livestock industry and its drivers to choose between the humane handling of animals or complying with the rule.
The waiver will become effective today, June 12.
