Agricultural News
Ag Groups Applaud Congressional Approval of Highway Bill and the Ag Hours of Service Exemption
Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:15:53 CDT
With the current highway bill ready to expire on June 30, the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) of the American Trucking Associations, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applaud Congress for approving the conference report on the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The 2-year reauthorization of the Surface Transportation bill includes a clarification of regulations critical to the agriculture industry's ability to distribute farm supplies in a timely manner, especially during the busy planting and harvest seasons.
The provisions included will resolve questions regarding the applicability of the agricultural hours of service (HOS) exemption to all farm supplies, including movements from distribution point to retailers as well as across state lines where both states have adopted the exemption.
We are appreciative of the work by Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.), as well as Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) for introducing legislation in this regard. The final outcome was the result of bipartisan leadership of Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Reid Ribble (R-Wisc.), Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), and Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), who were members of the House conference committee on MAP-21.
The HOS exemption had come into question in 2009 when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an interpretation of the regulations that resulted in transportation restrictions for certain farm supplies. The legislation amends aspects of the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act, which served as the basis for FMCSA's 2009 interpretation, to clarify the applicability of exemptions for agricultural products.
"Congresses action today will help provide producers and their cooperatives with the certainty and clarity they need to move forward with planning for this fall," said Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. "I would like to applaud the leadership shown by the conferees in reaching an agreement on this legislation vital to maintaining transportation infrastructure across the country."
"The passage of this important bill by Congress will help ensure that agricultural retailers are able to supply farmers with the products they need, in the most efficient manner, during busy times of the year," said Daren Coppock, ARA president and chief executive officer. "We appreciate the leadership demonstrated by the conferees on this critical issue for the agriculture industry."
"We applaud the House and Senate Conferees for working out their issues and passing this essential transportation bill. The agricultural exemption to the HOS rule is a crucial tool for transporters of agricultural products during the busiest times of the year," said AFTC Chairman, John Whittington. "Including this provision into Law will allow us the certainty we need to continue to service our customers in an efficient and timely manner."
"We commend the Congress for its action on this critical piece of legislation. Fertilizer is an essential component of farm productivity and the timely delivery of nutrients to our customers is of the upmost importance" said TFI President Ford B. West.
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