Livestock haulers get temporary waiver from hours rule provision

Livestock transporters will temporarily not have to comply with the new 30-minute break required by the most recent hours of service rule changes (which took effect July 1) due to summer heat, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced.

The agency told the National Pork Producers Council last week it would be publishing a waiver next week in the Federal Register.

The Council, along with a dozen other groups, petitioned the agency for an exemption in mid-June, citing forecasts for above-average temperatures through September that could exacerbate temperature increases for animals being transported.

FMCSA officials also said they would develop a more permanent exemption for livestock and poultry haulers, too.