Milk Trucks One Step Closer To Hauling Heavier Loads
Tuesday a bipartisan group of lawmakers approved an amendment to give states the right to allow milk haulers to increase truck weights above Interstate Highway System Limits.
The amendment (backed by National Milk Producers Federation) was sponsored by Reps. Richard Hanna of R-N.Y. and Elizabeth Esty D-Conn. If signed into law, the amendment will allow trucks in some states to carry more milk without having to offload product at state borders which the NMPF says is a win for farmers.
“This amendment recognizes the specific challenges in transporting milk,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “It’s great to see bipartisan support for something so critical to our dairy producers.”
International Dairy Foods Association praises Congress for its decision to include the amendment and urges lawmakers to pass the report quickly.
“If passed, fewer vehicles would be needed to transport milk, cutting transportation costs and easing the burden on farmers, consumers and commuters,” said IDFA President and CEO Connie Tipton.
The report, part of the usual year-end push by Congress, must reach President Obama’s desk by the Dec. 4 deadline to become a law.
