WASHINGTON, D.C.- Tuesday, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that they would place an additional 90-day delay on their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule for agricultural haulers.

First District Congressman Roger Marshall (R-Great Bend) supports the FMCSA’s decision to postpone the ELD mandate for this industry.

Livestock haulers have expressed a great deal of concern over the electronic logging system. The agency’s ELD regulation would limit a trucker’s flexibility when transporting livestock.

“Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction and shows that the FMCSA understands that this rule is impractical in cattle country,” Rep. Marshall said. “I am encouraged by the agency’s effort to engage and have continued discussions with industry partners to find long-term solutions. In the meantime, Congress needs to act.”

Many in the industry are concerned that the FMCSA’s rules would require a hauler to leave cattle in the trailer for too long, or force drivers to unload cattle in roadside pens, which currently do not exist. Both of those scenarios create grave concerns for animal welfare and biosecurity.

“Our livestock haulers have a tremendous safety record and are responsible not just for motorist safety, but for the safety and well-being of the livestock in their trailers,” Rep Marshall said. “That’s why I led a bipartisan letter, with almost 70 signatures, to House Leadership. Our letter encourages a full year delay of the ELD mandate for the agriculture industry to be included in the upcoming omnibus bill. A year will give our industry and FMCSA the time they need to come to a long-term solution that is safe for motorists and animals.”

The ELD rule was supposed to take effect on December 18, 2017 but was delayed until March 18, 2018. Tuesday’s announcement will again extend that enforcement until June 18, 2018.