Hoeven: Common Sense Prevails for Ag Transport Rules
Administration Announces No New Regulations for Ag Transport
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today said an announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that it will not propose new or change existing regulations governing the transport of agricultural products is a common sense decision that ensures North Dakota’s agriculture producers aren’t burdened by unnecessary federal regulations. The FMCSA announced today that it will not institute new transportation regulations for America’s agricultural producers.
In June, Hoeven wrote to FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro urging the agency to reconsider agriculture transportation-related proposals, including one that would require farmers and ranchers operating equipment on public roads to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Earlier this month, the senator joined a bipartisan group of 21 other senators in calling on FMCSA to abandon proposals for new rules. Hoeven was also working on legislation he planned to introduce had the FMCSA gone forward with the proposals.
Responding to the Senators’ letter, Administrator Ferro wrote, “About 1,700 comments were received from the farming community and Members of Congress, the vast majority asking that we preserve the guidance that leaves States to carry out the farm exceptions as they have for many years. FMCSA is pleased with the input and wants to make it clear, through guidance issued today, that no new regulations will be imposed on the farming community.”
“North Dakota and other states are better equipped to determine the best ways for our farmers and ranchers to safely and efficiently operate agriculture equipment on our roads,” said Hoeven. “The announcement today upholds this principle and ensures that the federal government isn’t unnecessarily burdening our state’s producers with additional regulations.”
Hoeven is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.Next Article Previous Article
