(CSi)   Gov. Doug Burgum Wednesday signed an emergency executive order granting a waiver of hours of service for drivers of commercial vehicles transporting anhydrous ammonia fertilizer and all other fertilizers.

North Dakota farmers are facing a shortage of fertilizer due to significant late season snowfall in other parts of the upper Midwest, which has delayed and shortened the spring planting season across the region. Commercial truck drivers have been required to move more fertilizer in a shorter time frame.

State Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring requested the waiver of hours of service to ensure that sufficient anhydrous ammonia resources are available to farmers.

The emergency order will remain in effect through May 30. All road safety and vehicle compliance regulations still apply.

 

Earlier…

Jamestown  (NDFU)   – North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) is calling on North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring to request a temporary two- to three-week waiver of hours of service requirements for commercial drivers to get anhydrous ammonia and other inputs to farmers. Goehring must make the request to Governor Doug Burgum, who can issue the waiver.

NDFU President Mark Watne  says, “Because of the restrictions in hours that drivers can log and the late spring, we’re running into problems with getting anhydrous ammonia and other inputs to the field in a timely manner.  A short-term waiver of hours of service requirements will ensure farmers get the inputs they need to complete spring planting.”