Motor Carrier Rulemaking Could Mean Greater Flexibility for Farmers, Ranchers and Truckers

The following may be attributed to Andrew Walmsley, director, congressional relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation: 

 

"The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration released an important proposal that recognizes the difficulties inherent in moving farm commodities and livestock, alike. 

 

"We are grateful for this first step to consider options for flexibility in hours-of-service rules. Farm Bureau will continue to work with our partners in industry, FMCSA and Congress to find long-term solutions that address the unique needs of transporting agricultural products, the hauling of live animals in particular. It is imperative that we seek solutions that account not just for motorist safety, but the health and welfare of animals being transported, as well." 

 

Background: FMCSA is seeking public comment on revising current Hours of Service regulations, which limit the hours drivers may be on the road. The Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will seek input on four specific areas of HOS. 

 

The four main areas under consideration for revision are: 

 

• Expanding the current 100 air-mile "short-haul" exemption from 12 hours on-duty to 14 hours on-duty, to bring consistency to the rules for long-haul truck drivers; 

 

• Extending the current 14-hour on-duty limitation by up to two hours when a truck driver encounters adverse driving conditions

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.