Truck drivers currently have fewer restrictions, allowing them to move live chickens away from bird flu outbreaks.
Be extra careful on the roads, truck drivers are currently allowed to drive for longer hours. Due to the egg shortages, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is making it easier to transport live chickens away from areas impacted by avian flu.
The FMCSA reduces safety regulations for truck drivers
The FMCSA has issued a regional emergency declaration that loosens the hours-of-service regulations for motor carriers and truck drivers.
This emergency waiver is for motor carriers and semi-truck drivers transporting live chickens. They need to get away from areas impacted by the bird flu.
Basically, there are currently exemptions from daily and weekly drive-time limits. Truckers are allowed to drive for 16 hours a day instead of only 11. However, they must stop driving at midnight each day.
Drivers typically take a required eight-hour break in their sleeper births. But currently, drivers only have to stop for six hours right now.
Before dispatch, the motor carrier must have a valid agreement from the receiving facility to accept delivery of the live chickens. Plus, they get to use paper logs instead of relying on ELDs.
The waiver is effective immediately and remains in effect until midnight on March 10. However, the emergency situation may end before then.
Overall, the declaration addresses the emergency conditions creating the need for immediate interstate transportation of live chickens from highly impacted areas by truck drivers.
It’s in response to the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) resulting in the loss of egg-laying chickens. The flu has led to a severe egg shortage and can wipe out entire populations of egg-laying chickens.
