The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that drivers of vehicles hauling livestock and poultry will be granted a one-year exemption from the 30 minute break requirement during the first eight hours of a shift.  This announcement by DOT is in response to a National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) petition requesting the change. 

NPPC said, “This is an important development for the food-animal industry, particularly the pork industry.  Pigs don’t sweat, so we can’t have them sitting on a truck for 30 minutes in the height of summer.”  In 2013, DOT granted livestock haulers a 90-day waiver during the summer months.