FMCSA Publishes Alternative Cargo Securement Requirements for Agriculture

Since 2006, the California Trucking Association (CTA) has led a coalition of agricultural stakeholders on finalizing securement processes for the transportation of agricultural commodities.  This was in response to the general securement rules  that were published in 2006, that the trucking industry identified as problematic for haulers of certain agricultural commodities. CTA, ATA’s Agricultural Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) and other agricultural stakeholders worked with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) to find alternative methods for tying down specialty agricultural products such as cotton bales, tomato tubs, etc. Project work included testing the older methods versus newer methods which was accomplished at the CHP’s Academy in West Sacramento. The testing and research clearly showed the previous and alternative methods secured the cargo much better than using methods from the general cargo securement rules. Since the testing was conducted, CHP has granted CTA the current exemption that AG haulers operate under while the FMCSA was reviewing the testing information. CTA, AFTC  and others have been working with FMCSA to finalize and publish these new rules to ensure our specialty ag products are properly secured not only in California, but all over the nation.  

If you are interested in viewing the federal notice click here. The comment period is open for 30 days, closing on February 5th.

For more information contact Eric Sauer at esauer@caltrux.org.