America’s hog, cattle and poultry farmers have been granted a 2-year waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hours-of-service rule for certain drivers, according to farmanddairy.com.
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.
The National Pork Producers Council, 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.
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