In an unusually broad communications blitz this week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced its Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has “no intention to propose new regulations governing the transport of agricultural products,” a move coincidentally timed to coincide with President Obama’s scheduled three-day whistle-stop tour of Iowa. At the same time, DOT released a guidance document to the states to make sure they “clearly understand the common sense exemptions that allow farmers, their employees and their families to accomplish day-to-day work and transport their goods to market.” All of this translates to no new commercial drivers’ license rules, unreasonable safety requirements or changes in the rules governing the transport of products, machinery or supplies to and from a farm. Earlier this year, FMCSA solicited comments on a list of potential changes, and received 1,700 comments, most of which told the agency to leave things just as they are. Details of the decision can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.