The U. S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation submitted comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) proposed rule mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs).

Many of our member companies have already installed ELDs in their fleets and enjoy the benefits of the technology including enhanced recordkeeping and other fleet management tools. However, even though Congress required that FMCSA mandate the use of ELDs in the July 2012 highway reauthorization law, the industry’s opposition to the proposed rule centers on the fact that the existing paper log system allows motor carriers to comply with current hours of service regulations, and there is no reason to believe that electronic systems will substantially improve highway safety. In addition, the mandatory use of electronic systems adds an unnecessary expense to the costs of fleet operations.

The comments were prepared by the Joint Poultry Industry Human Resources Council, which is made up of members from the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Collectively, the three organizations represent 95 percent of the nation’s poultry products, and their members generate more than 1.3 million total U.S. jobs.