NPPC to DOT: Reconsider regulations threatening animal welfare

by | Sep 13, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) filed a petition asking the Department of Transportation (DOT) to exempt livestock haulers from regulations posing threats to animal welfare.

The Council filed the petition Tuesday on behalf of the U.S. pork industry, as well as other livestock sectors. The petition cites concerns regarding the Electronic Logging Device and Hours of Service rules.

Michael Formica is Assistant Vice President of Domestic Affairs and Counsel for the NPPC. Formica said the Hours of Service rule raises concern regarding animal welfare.

?Anyone who has travelled knows you run into accidents, construction and traffic, and sometimes you don?t get to your destination in the time you allotted. We need to get around that because you simply can?t stop a truck on the side of the highway with a load of live animals. They will overheat and it will create all sorts of problems,? Formica said.

The Hours of Service rule allows for a 14-consecutive hour driving window. Within the driving window, truck drivers can drive up to 11 hours. After 11 hours of drive time, truck drivers must remain off-duty for 10 consecutive hours. Formica said the NPPC asks the DOT for flexibility within the Hours of Service rule.

?In Iowa, there?s a lot of finishing spaces for pork, but a lot of the piglets come from sow farmers located outside of the state. You?ll have piglets coming into the state that were born in Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, North Carolina or Montana. They?re looking at trips longer than 11 hours. We need to adjust and negotiate that time,? Formica said.

Formica said the NPPC understands the importance of the Hours of Service rule, but wants to see a rule better geared toward the livestock industry.

?We?re not asking for a permanent exemption,? Formica said. ?We realize there?s a reason to have these. We?re looking for a couple years to work with them and come up with rules and safety features that protect drivers on the road and allow us to care for the welfare of animals.?

The Electronic Logging Device rule, effective December 18, will require commercial motor vehicle operators involved in interstate commerce to use an Electronic Logging Device to keep records of duty status. Previously, drivers would log duty status via pen and paper.

The NPPC said the rule would keep drivers from their moral obligation ? to care for the animals they are hauling.