Assisting Missouri’s Farmers with Planting Preparations
Earlier this year, my colleague and fellow farmer Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) and I were able to secure a federal waiver that ensured a timely delivery of farm supplies for the 2010 planting season. It was a victory for hard-working farm families throughout Missouri.
After working with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Anne Ferro, we were informed that the FMCSA had granted a 90-day waiver from the hours-of-service regulations for this season. The waiver extends the agricultural operations exemption for a motor carrier in the distribution system, provided that the motor carrier meets certain restrictions.
I believe Congress intended this activity to be included when the provision was created. However, concerns were brought to my attention about the interpretation of the FMCSA hour-of-service exemption for agricultural operations, in particular the delivery of anhydrous ammonia.
I'm glad the Department of Transportation and the FMSCA agreed with us that the "just in time" delivery system of anhydrous ammonia should remain exempted from the hours of service regulations during the busy planting and harvest seasons.
The agriculture industry and farmers have enough to worry about without adding more excessive regulations from Washington on top of it. While there is more work to be done in this issue, the DOT and FMCSA have taken a step in the right direction.
Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, so I will continue to work with our famers to ensure they are able to grow the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.
Sincerely,
