2009 PRESS RELEASES

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February 5, 2009
STATE PROVIDES LIMITED EXEMPTIONS FOR HAY AND FEED HAULERS DUE TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804.786.7686

At the request of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles jointly authorized a temporary waiver of registration and license requirements, along with normal weight and width restrictions, for the purpose of ensuring that essential emergency relief supplies reach drought disaster areas in a timely manner.  The relief is due to drought conditions and high temperatures that have blanketed a good part of Virginia since the summer of 2007.  The waiver became effective at 6 p.m. January 30, 2009 and remains in effect until 6 p.m. March 30, 2009. 

The waiver pertains only to statewide shippers and carriers of hay and feed products delivered within the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Weight restrictions are outlined on the VDACS Web site at www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/pdf/020309HayWaiver.pdf.

Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner, said, “Livestock farmers in some localities that experienced drought have a continued need to buy and move hay. The waiver will assist those farmers in meeting their livestock feed needs through the rest of the winter.” 

Several state agencies and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation have notified affected haulers of the exemptions.  This multi-agency cooperation helps ensure essential emergency relief supplies reach the disaster areas in a timely manner and precludes inadvertent ticketing or detention of vehicles.