The Department of Transportation will begin accepting comments regarding Farm Bureau’s Sept. 12 application for exemption from the electronic logging device mandate for drivers who haul livestock, live fish and insects. The National Pork Producers Council, National Cattleman’s Beef Association and five other livestock, aquaculture and beekeeping organizations joined Farm Bureau in petitioning the DOT for a waiver and limited exemption.

On Dec. 18, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ELD mandate will go into effect. Carriers and drivers who are subject to the rule must install and use ELDs by this deadline.

Most farmers and ranchers should be exempt from the ELD mandate because they can claim covered farm vehicle status. Drivers who haul livestock, live fish and insects, however, are likely to fall under the requirements. The ELD mandate may force small business owners out of the marketplace while also having the unintended impact of jeopardizing the wellbeing of hauled animals if they can no longer be hauled by highly skilled and trained drivers/stockman.

Pre-publication Federal register notice