Poultry Groups Join in Challenging Trucking Hours Rule

By CnAgri2012-08-01 19:35:42 Print

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation joined a coalition of industry groups in challenging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Hours of Service Final Rules for commercial truck drivers. The groups argued that portions of the rule will slow productivity, hurt jobs and have a negative impact on agriculture, manufacturers, retail supply chains and distribution operations.

In filing a joint amici curiae brief, the poultry industry is in agreement with the American Trucking Associations legal challenge. The group supports the view that the specific rest periods of the '34-hour restart' and the exclusion of all 'on-duty non-driving work' during specified breaks should be held unlawful on the grounds that the changes are arbitrary and capricious.

The brief argues that the FMCSA failed to consider any costs on shippers, receivers or transportation intermediaries when evaluating changes to the rule. The coalition group also opposed a challenge lodged by Public Citizen and defended the FMCSA抯 decision to maintain the 14-hour driving window and the 11-hour daily driving provision.

Groups participating in the amici filing include: American Bakers Association, Food Marketing Institute, Intermodal Association of North America, International Food Distributors Association, NASSTRAC, National Association of Manufacturers, National Chicken Council, National Grocers Association, National Private Truck Council, National Retail Federation, National Turkey Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Snack Food Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. The groups are united in the belief that the Hours of Service rules currently in place have served the public well and have demonstrably improved safety for shippers, motor carriers and the public at large over the last decade.