Group wants FMCSA to include sod as ‘agricultural commodity’

As part of an hours-of-service exemption request, Turfgrass Producers International said sod should be included in FMCSA’s definition of an agricultural commodity.

The exemption request is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register on Wednesday, June 19.

TPI asks that all transporters of turfgrass sod be eligible for the hours-of-service exemption for agricultural commodities.

“The failure to define sod as an agricultural commodity is inconsistent with other federal and state regulations and creates an unnecessary economic burden for sod farmers when transporting their product to market,” TPI wrote in its exemption request.

The group said sod “loses its color, moisture and vigor” due to transplant shock and can die if palleted too long.

Without the exemption, TPI said it would cause a decrease in the amount of product they can ship and an increase in the amount of product that either dies or is damaged during transport. If granted, TPI estimated that the exemption would cover between 2,400 and 10,428 drivers.

Once the exemption request publishes in the Federal Register, the public will have 30 days to submit comments. To do so, go to Regulations.gov and enter docket number FMCSA-2019-0093.