USDA Concedes the 28-Hour Law Applies to Trucks

October 4, 2006 — 

In response to a legal petition submitted by a number of animal rights organizations, the USDA has determined that the legislation governing the transportation of animals, commonly referred to as the "Twenty-Eight Hour Law", does apply to livestock transported by truck. In addition to domestic interstate shipments, the law would also likely apply to animals transiting the U.S. between Canada and Mexico.

The law, first enacted in 1873 and applied exclusively to the transportation of cattle, sheep, swine and other animals by rail, states that animals being transported interstate could not be confined for more than 28 consecutive hours without unloading the animals for feeding, water and rest. It was amended in 1994, however, and the language was changed to include, in addition to rail transport, transportation by express or common carriers involving confinement in a "vehicle or vessel". In a letter to HSUS, USDA agrees that the term "vehicle" would apply to trucks in addition to other forms of common conveyance.

In 2003, USDA issued a policy statement describing feeding and watering recommendations for animals being transported by railcar or truck and a list of rest stations located throughout the United States. APHIS will investigate reports of alleged violations of the Twenty-Eight Hour Law.