April 17, 2008

Deadline extended for hay and feed hauler exemptions

RICHMOND—Due to recent drought conditions two state agencies have extended the waiver deadline for transporting emergency hay and feed.

The Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Motor Vehicles extended the deadline for temporary waivers of registration and license requirements, along with normal weight and width restrictions, for carriers transporting emergency supplies of hay or animal feed.

The exemptions, which became effective Aug. 11, 2007, have been extended through June 15. The regulation exemption applies to the entire state since every Virginia locality has received either a primary or contiguous drought disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The waivers pertain only to statewide shippers and carriers of hay and feed products being delivered within Virginia and is subject to the expanded weight and width restrictions, provided they follow the hauling permit regulations and safety guidelines published in the Virginia Hauling Permit Manual.

The extension was granted at the request of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

“We appreciate DMV and VDOT acknowledging the need to feed animals in areas especially hard-hit areas by the drought,” said Andrew Smith, VFBF senior assistant director of governmental relations. “This extension should get us through the first hay harvest for the year.”

Contact Smith at 804-290-1021.