This article has been reprinted from USDA's April 2 Grain Transportation Report.
On March 25, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) updated the frequently asked questions for its COVID-19 emergency declaration to clarify that feed and fertilizer are covered.
This means drivers transporting feed and fertilizer are currently exempt from federally mandated hours-of-service (HOS) rules.
In response to supply chain disruptions, a group of 53 farm- and food-related associations, including the National Grain and Feed Association, urged FMCSA to include animal food and feed ingredients in its emergency declaration.
Earlier in March, after President Trump declared a nationwide emergency, FMCSA temporarily granted exemption from HOS rules to drivers transporting food or livestock to distribution and retail facilities.