AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association encourages individuals to submit comments on the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule.
Earlier this week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)held a meeting to announce that ag haulers will receive a 90-day extension to comply with the ELD mandate. The rule is set to go into effect December 18, but this extension temporarily exempts ag haulers and will allow the agency to analyze a long-term delay and review comments relating a request to delay the rule for livestock haulers. However, it is more important now than ever for the livestock industry to file comments telling FMCSA that the ELD rule will not make hauling livestock more safe and that we cannot be regulated under the same rules as other industries because our cargo is alive.
The ELD mandate would require most truckers to implement the use of electronic logging devices in place of paper log forms they currently use. In combination with restrictive Hours of Service requirements, this rule would severely limit the ability of livestock haulers to get cattle to their destination in a timely manner.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has submitted comments on behalf of its members, but it is crucial that as many comments are submitted as possible asking the DOT and FMCSA to amend the rule for livestock haulers. Comments are due by November 30.
For more information on how to comment and information to include in your comments, visit http://iacattlemen.org/eldcomments.aspx or contact JanLee at janlee@iabeef.org.
— Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
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