WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today sent a letter to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requesting more time for producers to comment on critical transportation issues that directly relate to transporting agriculture commodities.

“It’s important we allow our producers and vital organizations the chance to fully understand how these transportation issues could impact their various industries,” said Roberts. “If our producers do not get a voice during this critical comment period, they could face significant new burdens in transporting agriculture throughout our country and the world.”

“We’re eager to help Washington-based regulators understand that a farm truck is not an over-the-road motor carrier,” said Steve Baccus, a grain farmer from Ottawa County, Kansas, who serves as president of Kansas Farm Bureau. “Sen. Pat Roberts clearly understands the distinction and we’re grateful for his leadership in helping convince others.”

“The agriculture industry faces unique situations when it comes to transporting our products and providing agricultural services,” said Leslie Kaufman, President and CEO of Kansas Cooperative Council. “Transportation regulations significantly impact our members’ daily operations. Thus, it is critical that we are allowed time to properly evaluate the impacts of the proposed guidance so that we may provide comments that are informed, articulate our members' needs and concerns and are meaningful in this dialogue.”

The letter drafted by Roberts, and signed by 17 other senators including Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), was directed to FMSCA Administrator Anne Ferro after the FMSCA released a 30-day request for public comment on various transportation issues related to production agriculture and commodities. The senators ask for the comment period to be extended to 90 days to accommodate busy farmers, ranchers, and producers, who have significant planting and harvesting responsibilities this time of year. An extended weigh-in period would allow them an adequate amount of time to better review the impact on their businesses and better provide them a voice on issues of vital importance to their industry.

FMSCA opened the comment period to clarify several of their positions on agricultural transportation, including clarifying the factors distinguishing between inter and intra-state commerce, Crop Share Farm Lease Agreements, and implements of construction and farming equipment husbandry and whether new regulations should be in order to provide uniformity and consistency.

The following is full text of the letter:

Dear Administrator Ferro,

The Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released a 30-day request for public comment on a series of transportation issues directly related to production agriculture and the movement of commodities. We request additional time to allow producers and organizations the opportunity to fully understand the potential impacts of the issues involved and to provide thoughtful and constructive comments to the agency.

The transportation of agricultural products is of high value to the American public. The availability of high quality, nutritious food, that is delivered in a safe and efficient way is worthy of unique and thoughtful consideration. We are concerned that the current 30-day comment period may not provide producers, many of whom have significant planting and harvesting responsibilities this time of year, adequate time to review and contemplate the likely impacts on their operations.

In order to ensure a well-informed process, we respectfully ask that you consider a 90-day period to allow impacted individuals and industries the opportunity for input.

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