WASHINGTON, June 6, 2014- The U.S. Department of Transportation granted a one-year exemption to the Hours-of-Service requirement for the transportation of livestock, the agency announced today.
The Hours-of-Service rules required all commercial motor vehicle operators, including livestock transporters, to take a 30-minute rest break for every eight hours of service. This is in addition to all scheduled stops not counting time for refueling and other breaks.
The exemption announced today will be effective immediately.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bob McCan said the move alleviates many of the concerns of cattlemen and women as they face warmer temperatures this summer.
“This is great news for livestock producers and for the health of our herds,” McCan said. “As we come into summer, cattle producers have expressed concerns to the DOT that these rules would jeopardize the health and safety of our cattle.”
He said NCBA will continue to urge DOT to make the exemption permanent.
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