Agenda 21 Update: Family Farms Are Under Attack
Posted on July 31, 2011 at 1:07pm
Is the US government starting to implement the policies of the United Nation's plan for global management of people and resources known as Agenda 21? The latest efforts out of the Department of Transportation (DOT) seem to indicate this is happening. And they are starting by targeting America's farming communities with costly and oppressive regulations.
In Late May, the DOT proposed a rule change for farm equipment, and if it this allowed to take effect, it will place significant regulatory pressure on small farms and family farms all across America – costing them thousands of dollars and possibly forcing many of them out of business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), wants new standards that would require all farmers and everyone on the farm to obtain a CDL (Commercial Drivers License) in order to operate any farming equipment. The agency is going to accomplish this by reclassifying all farm vehicles and implements as Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)...
...This proposed change literally means family farms could no longer legally allow young workers, not old enough to drive and seniors who no longer drive on the public streets, to operate a tractor... even on the family's private property...
Full story: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/agenda-21-update-family-farms-are-under-attack/ (http://www.theblaze.com/stories/agenda-21-update-family-farms-are-under-attack/)
And, how would keeping these groups (underage drivers and those too old to be driving) from operating heavy equipment be attacking family farms? The family farm will go under, sure as shootin', because we can't take a 10 year old, still wet behind the ears, or Great-Grandpa, out of his LazyBoy recliner, and use them as free slave labor during harvest (or during the "working cattle" season, whenever that happens to fall in the year)? Get real. ::) Another Chicken Little post... ::)
FMCSA requests public comment on: (1) Previously published regulatory guidance on the distinction between interstate and intrastate commerce in deciding whether operations of commercial motor vehicles within the boundaries of a single State are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs); (2) the factors the States are using in deciding whether farm vehicle drivers transporting agricultural commodities, farm supplies and equipment as part of a crop share agreement are subject to the commercial driver's license regulations; and (3) proposed guidance to determine whether off-road farm equipment or implements of husbandry operated on public roads for limited distances are considered commercial motor vehicles. The guidance would be used to help ensure uniform application of the safety regulations by enforcement personnel, motor carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers.
Patriot just trying to see your point. What is your problem with people having to get a Commercial Drivers License to drive farm equipment on public roads? Many pieces of farm equipment are very big and take a special skill not possesed by a driver of a passenger car. This proposal does not impact those who drive on non-public roads or property. Educate and enlighten me as to your point, if you can. (I am totally serious and no kidding, poking, name calling etc.)
David
Lets see if I have this right. If these new regs were to be put in place, you would need a CDL to drive a farm tractor a quarter of a mile down a dirt road in the middle of absolute nowhere, but still just need a regular license to drive a 40 foot motor coach style RV from Key West, Florida to Seattle, Washington via Portland, Maine and San Diego, California?
Quote from: flintauqua on August 03, 2011, 11:35:24 PM
Lets see if I have this right. If these new regs were to be put in place, you would need a CDL to drive a farm tractor a quarter of a mile down a dirt road in the middle of absolute nowhere, but still just need a regular license to drive a 40 foot motor coach style RV from Key West, Florida to Seattle, Washington via Portland, Maine and San Diego, California?
That was my question. And it doesn't appear that there is a distinction between that farm tractor being on a back county road or in the middle of I-35. Even so, the idea of the local farmer having to keep the same records as a transport driver seems onerous, at best.
Quote from: Catwoman on August 03, 2011, 10:29:25 PM
And, how would keeping these groups (underage drivers and those too old to be driving) from operating heavy equipment be attacking family farms? The family farm will go under, sure as shootin', because we can't take a 10 year old, still wet behind the ears, or Great-Grandpa, out of his LazyBoy recliner, and use them as free slave labor during harvest (or during the "working cattle" season, whenever that happens to fall in the year)? Get real. ::) Another Chicken Little post... ::)
By the way...This belongs on the Politics board, not in the Coffee Shop.
Obviously you didn't go read the entire article. It's not just about the kids, grandpa or slave labor. Sorry your city mindedness got in your way. Politics? Well I'm thinking folks who live out in farm/ranch land see this kind if thing as much closer to home and very much fodder for coffee shop concern. However, if Teresa wants to move it, that's fine by me.
Last year, it was the EPA taking a 'shot' at making lead lead a ground pollutant and restricting its' use in ammunition. Nowthe DOT wants to make Old MacDonald (sorry Sarge) get a CDL to operate his Ford 9N (to be reclassified as an interstate commercial vehicle) on the quarter mile dirt road between his front & back yards. And do so by regulatory fiat and not legislation. Chicken Little? You really don't get it, do ya?
Speaking of livelihoods, workplace protections, and pensions, yours is protected somewhat by a union contract, isn't it, teach?
Quote from: sodbuster on August 03, 2011, 11:27:01 PM
Patriot just trying to see your point. What is your problem with people having to get a Commercial Drivers License to drive farm equipment on public roads?
It wasn't 'my' point, actually. It was a reprint of an article of interest. Though I do have a problem with the reclassification of a tractor & bale mover as a commercial motor vehicle and the ambiguous 'public road'. All public roads aren't the Pacific Coast Highway.
Great Point Patriot! If Teresa wants to move this then Teresa can do so, as Teresa is the owner of this forum and the Supreme Master and Moderator. Speaking of moderator, Catwoman, what happened to you being moderator over the Coffee Shop? I guess your old flappity lips and your catbox head got the best of ya. Poetry...pure poetry!
I agree with you Patriot that it is stupid to be wanting to commercialize farm equipment such as tractors, but tractor trailers I feel should still fall under the same guidelines. It is a combination vehicle, air brakes with 10-18 gears and whether it's going 2 miles to the grain bin or 100 miles to the grain bin it still should have to fall under the same guidelines. Meaning, they should fill out a log book, do their daily inspection, have to have a medical card and be subject to the hours of driving. As far as for slave labor, I don't believe that dear old Grandpa is going to do a damn thing that he doesn't want to do in the first place. And so much for that hard strenuous work that the 14 year old child would have to do other than sitting at home playing with their Wii, wee wee or being on Facebook when they could be making money, sitting in their air conditioned cab of their tractor or truck, driving. I made damn good money myself doing it when I was younger. I hauled hay when I was 12 and made a penny a bale. I was making 200 bucks a week. Pretty good money for a 12 year-old. I don't remember putting in horribly long hours (just during daylight). Maybe we should just pamper kids some more, give them everything they want or desire, don't spank 'em when they've really done wrong and damn sure don't make them find their own place to live when they're adults. We can just keep on working the rest of our lives to support them and their families. Until we die and the government can take over giving them welfare because they have no work ethics. Sounds like a socialist point of view.---MR. KSH
P.S. In the hour it took me to type all of this, the Supreme Blondie moved it from Coffee Shop to Politics.
P.S. In the hour it took me to type all of this, the Supreme Blondie moved it from Coffee Shop to Politics (quote from Mr. KSH)
LOL She's sneaky like that, isn't she?
And she is the Supreme.
Quote from: Jo McDonald on August 04, 2011, 07:48:29 AM
P.S. In the hour it took me to type all of this, the Supreme Blondie moved it from Coffee Shop to Politics (quote from Mr. KSH)
LOL She's sneaky like that, isn't she?
Sneaky? Maybe, but you did one helluva job with her, Jo... she's a damned fine example of what's missing these days... independent thinkers! Good job mom!
Independent - except few are nowadays. Socailsits don't like the word "independent" much.
Quote from: redcliffsw on August 04, 2011, 08:38:44 AM
Independent - except few are nowadays. Socailsits don't like the word "independent" much.
Neither do 'moderates' or even some self proclaimed 'independents'. I find many are just too comfortable with the status quo or are too afraid of conflict to stand up for principle. Of course, when one stand for nothing, they will fall for anything. No.. EPA meddling and govt regulations about gray skunks, darter snails and weird beetles won't slow progress, increase costs or interfere with progress. And why shouldn't taxpayers build nurseries in public schools and provide day care for the babies of teenaged moms who couldn't say no? Come to think of it, why don't the baby daddies have to reimburse the taxpayers for such stuff?
Now, about those DOT decals that grandpa needs for his old Farmall before he drives it on a public road...
I only moderated the Coffee Shop for Teresa as a favor to her, during a period of time when she was extremely busy...When things settled down for her, she took it back over. No, Hillbilly...No catbox antics got the better of me... ;D...As far as it being pure poetry...I'll agree with that, too... ;D
Sure wish I had seen this BEFORE August 1st, I would have been one of their public comments AGAINST.
I for one feel a HELL of a lot safer on the road with an eight year old drivin a feed truck than I do with a city "soccer mom" in her SUV talkin on the phone changin dvd's for the kids and generally "I have a big fancy suv nobody will hit me" mentality pullin out in front of people runnin stop lights...........
Guess what chick I have a big truck too...its a little beat up from haulin stuff but I have INSURANCE.
I dont see the various Farm Bureaus and Granges allowin this to happen. What the government wants and what it gets are once in a while two entirely different things. I hope this is one of those times myself.
Mrs. C, I agree with you about how SUV drivers drive...It's as if they have a vast sense of entitlement out there on the road. I have never seen such rude drivers, to be honest. I've also noticed that they never get pulled over...It's as if the cops are afraid to pull them over because they can't see inside the SUV to begin with. But, I'll respectfully disagree on the 8 year old driving thing...I wouldn't allow any 8 year old, who doesn't have the experience, the sense or the leg reach to operate any kind of machinery, much less a moving vehicle. On this one, we're going to have to agree to disagree.
Lol Catwoman....my Granpa taught me to drive when I was 9 in a ford pickup with a three on the tree:) I taught my oldest son to drive when he was 8 in a gmc pickup with a three speed........We can both drive anything with a motor in it. I've known a LOT of farm kids that were better drivers at 8 than a lot of the adults I see drivin now. Yeah guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree LOL
Quote from: Patriot on August 04, 2011, 06:51:18 AM
It wasn't 'my' point, actually. It was a reprint of an article of interest. Though I do have a problem with the reclassification of a tractor & bale mover as a commercial motor vehicle and the ambiguous 'public road'. All public roads aren't the Pacific Coast Highway.
Actually I live in a County that has an annual crop value of over $150,000,000 (Also has cattle ranchs) many rural roads, and farm equipment is allowed on Highway 1 on the coast. PCH is in Southrn California and in Ventura County they allow farm equipment.
Charles, I think those big RV drivers should have to get a Commercial License too.
Cat and Pam I agree with you about those SUV driving soccer moms.
David
You don't have to fill out a log book if you're driving less than 100 miles.
I have a commercial license, I've driven trucks and tractors, and I don't think this is a good idea. Getting a CDL isn't easy, and it would be an undue and needless burden on a lot of family farmers. Someone suggested that farmers shouldn't need to get a CDL to drive a standard tractor-trailer combo around, i don't agree with that either. If you're driving an 18-wheeler, get the license, If you're driving a tractor around the farm, you don't need it.
I think if we want to make our highways safer, then we shouldn't have allowed Mexican trucking companies to send their trucks into the US to just haul freight wherever they want.
I just don't see anything that restrictive being passed.
Unfortunately, many years ago I lost a nine year old neighboring farm friend who rolled the John Deere over on himself in a hilly field and was crushed. They almost gave up farming because of it. But the rest of the kids begged to continue,( there were 6 other kids,) and after much anguish they finally decided to keep at it.
Quote from: Anmar on August 04, 2011, 01:50:02 PM
Someone suggested that farmers shouldn't need to get a CDL to drive a standard tractor-trailer combo around, i don't agree with that either. If you're driving an 18-wheeler, get the license, If you're driving a tractor around the farm, you don't need it.
My reference wasn't to a semi rig. I was referring to Pop's JD pullin a hay wagon or Billiy Bob's 2 ton grain truck, between fields on a public road.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on August 04, 2011, 02:07:04 PM
I just don't see anything that restrictive being passed.
Our founders likely didn't see a lot of what we've got these days either. You really do fail to see the corrupting nature of power, don't you?
at the age of 8 or so, I was told to learn to drive the '40 Ford pu...granny gear and stick..I did on the dirt roads (well first in a pasture, so I couldn't hit anything). Then at 12 I was taking that same truck to town to unload wheat.
No one made a fuss and everyone knew at that time it was wheat harvest, and to watch out for the slower vehicles.
Times have changed and it is my belief that those making the rules either have forgotton what it takes to make a living on a farm(an underage teenager helping to make the living) or else they are not from the rural areas.
I say screw that possible law...I have had a CDL liscense, and yes, it would not be passed by most farmers.
Someone sitting behind a desk trying to force laws down our throats, needs to farm for one day or 3.
I hate puppet masters. and the sad part is: they get off on pulling the strings as it is "the best interest of the country"
Well, I say pshaw and spit to the grass!
ready
Thi is another case where the Fed's are imposing themselves upon the citizens of the States and the States.
Those government people who dream of these things ought to be fired or laid-off and their agencies abolished.
Quoteand their agencies abolished
I might agree with that statement, however are you talking the DMV which is overseen by the KDOR which is overseenby...
ad naseum.....
I say take out the guy who thought it up in the first place!
ready to vote
Yeah, well I agree with you about taking out those who promoted and approved the idea.
However I think that you're refering to the State DMV and I wasn't. I'm saying abolish the federal dept/office that is scheming this plan for CDL's. It should be easy to identify them.
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 04, 2011, 05:24:56 PM
I say screw that possible law...
That's the problem.. this is a DOT Regulation having the effect of law, imposed by unelected, unappointed bureaucrats and blessed by the likes of Tzar Cass Sunstein.
Quote from: Anmar on August 04, 2011, 01:50:02 PM
I think if we want to make our highways safer, then we shouldn't have allowed Mexican trucking companies to send their trucks into the US to just haul freight wherever they want.
In contrast, that situation illustrates perfectly the insanity of the proposed regulation.
Quote from: sodbuster on August 03, 2011, 11:27:01 PM
Patriot just trying to see your point. What is your problem with people having to get a Commercial Drivers License to drive farm equipment on public roads? Many pieces of farm equipment are very big and take a special skill not possesed by a driver of a passenger car. This proposal does not impact those who drive on non-public roads or property. Educate and enlighten me as to your point, if you can. (I am totally serious and no kidding, poking, name calling etc.)
David
Bullshit. I grew up driving farm tractors. My kids drove their first one at 7. Sheesh. I was operating dozer and backhoe on my grandpas farm when i was 10. Gotta love grandpas!
Quote from: flintauqua on August 03, 2011, 11:35:24 PM
Lets see if I have this right. If these new regs were to be put in place, you would need a CDL to drive a farm tractor a quarter of a mile down a dirt road in the middle of absolute nowhere, but still just need a regular license to drive a 40 foot motor coach style RV from Key West, Florida to Seattle, Washington via Portland, Maine and San Diego, California?
I don't mind the rv's as much as i mind the idiots pulling a 32' trailer in a 5th wheel setup with a underweight power plant. Seen more of those jacknifed than i have seen farm equipment jacknifed.
But Lord no, you can't require a cdl for that, the bluehairs will come unglued!
Quote from: Patriot on August 04, 2011, 06:39:43 AM
Obviously you didn't go read the entire article. It's not just about the kids, grandpa or slave labor. Sorry your city mindedness got in your way. Politics? Well I'm thinking folks who live out in farm/ranch land see this kind if thing as much closer to home and very much fodder for coffee shop concern. However, if Teresa wants to move it, that's fine by me.
Last year, it was the EPA taking a 'shot' at making lead lead a ground pollutant and restricting its' use in ammunition. Nowthe DOT wants to make Old MacDonald (sorry Sarge) get a CDL to operate his Ford 9N (to be reclassified as an interstate commercial vehicle) on the quarter mile dirt road between his front & back yards. And do so by regulatory fiat and not legislation. Chicken Little? You really don't get it, do ya?
Speaking of livelihoods, workplace protections, and pensions, yours is protected somewhat by a union contract, isn't it, teach?
They don't have authority under interstate compact agreement. THats intrastate.
QuoteHowever I think that you're refering to the State DMV and I wasn't.
True statement..I retract.
However, that being said...someone from the Federal Government tells the State KDOR what policies to enact.
Personally, it needs to be addressed by the locals.
Oh, wait, we don't have a sayso. I sayso yes, we do...by golly!!!!!!!!!!! >:(
ready
Quote from: thatsMRSc2u on August 04, 2011, 11:55:59 AM
Lol Catwoman....my Granpa taught me to drive when I was 9 in a ford pickup with a three on the tree:) I taught my oldest son to drive when he was 8 in a gmc pickup with a three speed........We can both drive anything with a motor in it. I've known a LOT of farm kids that were better drivers at 8 than a lot of the adults I see drivin now. Yeah guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree LOL
i was 8 when my grandpa let me drive the studebaker. Up til then he let me steer, then when i could reach the gas pedal and brake he let me.
Quote from: srkruzich on August 04, 2011, 07:08:14 PM
Bullshit. I grew up driving farm tractors. My kids drove their first one at 7. Sheesh. I was operating dozer and backhoe on my grandpas farm when i was 10. Gotta love grandpas!
Steve so did I. My dad was a civil engineer and I drove many large vehicles and equipment when I was a kid(maybe 10 years old.. lso, drove combines, flew planes, before I ever drove a car. First time I ever drove a car (age 12) was in Elk County after going with my Uncle Jacot to geld a horse 10 miles outside of Moline. 2 minutes of instruction on driving a stick shift Ford pickup. Took of for Howard while my Uncle slept on the seat. Spent more time in rural areas than you have.
David
quote from sodbuster:
Spent more time in rural areas than you have.
You just can't help yourself, can you sodpacker ? How would you know you have spent more time in rural areas than Steve ------unless you are The Shadow----and the Shadow knows everything!! And the Shadow you are not.
Quote from: jarhead on August 04, 2011, 08:38:22 PM
quote from sodbuster:
Spent more time in rural areas than you have.
You just can't help yourself, can you sodpacker ? How would you know you have spent more time in rural areas than Steve ------unless you are The Shadow----and the Shadow knows everything!! And the Shadow you are not.
Jarhead I told Kjell or Teresa in a pm that I would lighten up on you, Sarge, Ross, Patriot, and Steve and stop trying to rile you up. Feel free to continue your name calling, because it won't hurt my feelings.
David
Had to read twice to see what the hell you are talking about. It was a typo. Sometimes my typing finger works independently of my grey matter. You don't need to lighten up on me. If you get to hurting my feelings I will just quit reading your posts ;)
Quote from: sodbuster on August 04, 2011, 08:07:06 PM
Spent more time in rural areas than you have.
David
And you know this how??
Lighten up on me? ROTFLMAO Ok. Not that i even give your existance a second thought! I can guarantee you one thing. I dont' lose a wink of sleep at night over you
Quote from: srkruzich on August 04, 2011, 09:11:33 PM
Lighten up on me? ROTFLMAO Ok. Not that i even give your existance a second thought! I can guarantee you one thing. I dont' lose a wink of sleep at night over you
Steve I didn't expect anything less from you. Still I made a promise to lighten up on you and I will do so. As I said to Jarhead say and respond to me as you want it won't hurt my feelings. By the way Steve as a 50 year old man on Social Security Disabilty for heart problems why are you smoking cigars? None of my business, but I do care some. I like posting, debating, argueing with you here on the forum and I would like the to continue long into the future.
David
Quote from: Patriot on August 04, 2011, 06:17:08 PM
In contrast, that situation illustrates perfectly the insanity of the proposed regulation.
Anyways, getting away from personal attacks...
Don't get me started on mexican trucks, the DOT and bad regulations. I'm not in favor abolishing the DMV, but the politicians who oversee these institutions need to be reminded that they serve the american people, not big business.
QuoteGotta love grandpas!
yes we do :)
Anmar,"Big Business" apparently has better lobbyists. The American people don't, except at election time. In between, most just gripe but don't write letters, e-mail or keep in contact because they say it doesn't matter. That's the best way not to get what you want, only gripe to each other behind the scenes. Now that they've all gone home, here's your chance to let your Gov't know how you feel. Be polite but firm.
I hate that the Mexican trucks now have free reign. I will send an e-mail asking for an explanation, express my concerns and I will hear back, one of the advantages of living in a small state.
Just in case you thought it was over....
Proposed rule on farms called 'absurd'
Gazette Virginian
Written by Sonny Riddle
12:00 am 08/12/11
A new rule being proposed by the federal Department of Transportation would require farmers to get commercial drivers licenses.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is a part of DOT, wants to adopt standards that would reclassify all farm vehicles and implements as Commercial Motor Vehicles, officials said. Likewise, the proposal, if adopted, would require all farmers and everyone on the farm who operates any of the equipment to obtain a CDL, they added.
The proposed rule change would mean that anyone who drives a tractor or operates any piece of motorized farming equipment would be required to pass the same tests and complete the same detailed forms and logs required of semi-tractor trailer drivers.
Drivers would keep logs of information including hours worked and miles traveled. Vehicles would be required to display DOT numbers. A CDL in Virginia costs $64 for eight years, or $8 per year, not including the cost of an instructional class and the written test.
If the DOT reclassifies farm vehicles and implements as commercial vehicles, the federal government will have regulatory control over the nation's farm workers, estimated at over 800,000, by requiring them to have commercial drivers licenses.
That possibility worries county farmers and others in Halifax County interested in agriculture.
"I have a CDL, but very few farmers have one," said Nathalie farmer Ronnie Waller. "This is just another bureaucratic hurdle for the farmer.
"It's hard enough fighting Mother Nature, insects and all...now we have to fight the federal government," he added. "We're getting more rammed down our throats, and I could see repercussions across the nation. This move is another inane gesture in my opinion," Waller concluded.
Bruce Pearce, Halifax County Soil and Water Conservation district manager, agrees with Waller.
"It's absurd, we're being regulated out of business," Pearce said. "I can see where you need to take precautions if you take these things on the interstate."
Pearce said driving a tractor on a road is not like driving a semi-tractor trailer on the highway.
"If it passes, there will be a lot of citations written," he said. "It'll create a financial burden on the farmer.
"Many farm workers are migrant workers, and they don't have drivers licenses," he said.
"If this thing passes, it would be detrimental to the agriculture business," said Jason Fisher, Halifax County Extension agent for Forestry and Natural Resources. "They're going to get a bigger fight from other places.
"It would be stifling to agriculture," he said. "For the producers here, we're looking to do things to help them maintain their farms. CDLs would mean additional costs to the farmers."
Scott Crowder, Halifax County Farm Bureau president, agrees with Fisher.
"I think it's absurd," he said. "It's just more federal bureaucracy and another infringement on small business."
Crowder said farm tractors and other machinery on county roads is a common sight in most rural areas.
"When you live in a rural community seeing farm equipment on the road is just something that's a part of life," he said. "If this thing passes, it will create more strain on small business, and that's what farmers are. It will affect their bottom line. Call your congressman and senators," he concluded.
Link: http://www.gazettevirginian.com/index.php/news/34-news/3739-proposed-rule-on-farms-called-absurd (http://www.gazettevirginian.com/index.php/news/34-news/3739-proposed-rule-on-farms-called-absurd)
Transportation Department clarifies farm vehicle inquiry
(8/10/2011)
Sally Schuff
The U.S. Department of Transportation today (Aug. 11) confirmed that existing agricultural exemptions for farm vehicles will continue to apply as they have in the past, and that it had never been the intention of the agency to invoke any new regulations. There was widespread concern in the agricultural industry that a USDOT Federal Register notice on May 31 signaled that the agency had sweeping new regulations under consideration for farm drivers, farm machinery, and vehicles used to deliver harvests to elevators.
However, a USDOT spokesperson told Feedstuffs today, that the agency's May 31 request for public comments addressed a different matter. He explained it addressed producer concerns about actions taken in one unnamed Midwestern state that appeared to be tightening state regulations on farm vehicles. The federal agency asked for public comments, not as many thought as a precursor to new federal regulations, but rather because "we were really focused on exemptions that are consistent across all the states to let farmers get their work done."
He said it was not accurate to say that the agency was "backing away" from new agricultural regulations -- since none were ever anticipated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Previously posted story) The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today (Aug. 10) it is backing away from any new regulations that would affect farm operations and the transport of agricultural products.
USDOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today (Aug. 10) "that it has no intention to propose new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products. The agency also released guidance designed to make sure states clearly understand the common sense exemptions that allow farmers, their employees, and their families to accomplish their day-to-day work and transport their products to market."
Today's announcement was immediately praised by the National Beef Cattlemen's Assn.
FMCSA's statement today said, "No regulations will be proposed for any new safety requirements or changes to the rules governing the transport of agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm."
"We have no intention of instituting onerous regulations on the hardworking farmers who feed our country and fuel our economy," said Secretary Ray LaHood, a former Republican House member from Illinois. "Farmers deserve to know that reasonable, common sense exemptions will continue to be consistently available to agricultural operations across the country, and that's why we released this guidance."
This guidance – which does not impose any new rules on farmers – follows the Federal Register public notice which FMCSA issued on May 31, 2011, asking farmers, farm organizations and the public to give input on the agency's longstanding safety rules. The input was strongly opposed to changing current exemptions.
http://www.feedstuffs.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=F4D1A9DFCD974EAD8CD5205E15C1CB42&nm=Daily+News&type=news&mod=News&mid=A3D60400B4204079A76C4B1B129CB433&tier=3&nid=45A10BE1BBFD45BB8BDDE5797A7AA5F7
Quote from: flintauqua on August 12, 2011, 09:31:31 AM
Transportation Department clarifies farm vehicle inquiry
That's helpful. Yet we see another, deeper & continuing issue arise... either there's been some really poor communication from government bureaucrats up to this point... or their lips are moving. Either is unacceptable.
Also, excerpts straight from the horses mouth:
From Aug. 10, 2001 Release: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2011/fmcsa2411.html
"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced today that it has no intention to propose new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products. The agency also released guidance designed to make sure states clearly understand the common sense exemptions that allow farmers, their employees, and their families to accomplish their day-to-day work and transport their products to market.
After hearing from concerned farmers earlier this year, FMCSA initiated this review to make sure states don't go overboard in enforcing regulations on agricultural operators, and to ensure consistent access to exemptions for farmers. No regulations will be proposed for any new safety requirements or changes to the rules governing the transport of agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm."
From Guidance document: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/rulemakings/notices/Agricultural-Guidance.pdf
"It is worth repeating that neither the May 31 notice nor today's notice propose or proposed any rule change or new safety requirements. Instead, the Agency sought feedback from farm organizations, farmers, and the public on the agency's long-standing interpretations of existing rules, so it could then determine whether any adjustments were needed to improve understanding of the current safety regulations."
So, I still stand behind what I said before ,Patriot's insult not withstanding. :P I don't see anything that restrictive being passed. It seems for once I was right. We'll see. We have no shortage of people trying to stir up trouble even when there isn't any, and there is plenty enough real trouble as it is.
Quote from: flintauqua on August 12, 2011, 09:52:32 AM
"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)...
After hearing from concerned farmers earlier this year, FMCSA initiated this review to make sure states don't go overboard in enforcing regulations on agricultural operators, and to ensure consistent access to exemptions for farmers.
Thanks again.
So let me get this straight (undoing the bureaucratic parse)... "federal government good, states bad".
Only a big government loving progressive could miss that inference.
States should be able to do what they want in this case.The only problem I could see would be when farms cross state lines. If the neighboring states have different rules they should be prepared to be lenient.There might be complications involving state fuel taxes on FT vehicles also.