AFBF and other agriculture organizations are requesting a five-year exemption from hours of service requirements for livestock haulers. Andrew Walmsley, AFBF congressional relations director, explained in a recent Newsline that the safety measures for truck drivers need to consider the uniqueness of hauling livestock.               

“The current hours of service rules don’t really take into account the unique needs of our livestock haulers on the flexibility that Congress has granted over the years, but also the need to really take into account the animal care that’s entrusted for our members and for truck drivers,” Walmsley said. AFBF and other ag organizations sent a petition to the Department of Transportation seeking extended drive time and hours on duty for livestock haulers.