Effects of State and Local Regulations on Interstate Movement of Agricultural Products by Highway

Excerpts from the report Introduction: This study was initiated as a result of recommendations of the Advisory Committee to the USDA on transportation research and the concern of farm organizations and others about the effects of varying regulations and tax levying measures among the States upon the marketing and costs of movement of products of agriculture transported by motortruck. Motortrucks carry a large proportion of the agricultural products, and the efficient performance of this agency of transportation is of vital importance to agriculture. In recognition of the need for flexibility in the marketing of farm products, Federal law exempts interstate truck transportation of these commodities from economic regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission. The purpose of this study is not to criticize the legislative or administrative policies of any individual State, but to bring out the cumulative effects upon shippers and motor carriers of varying policies by the many States through which individual interstate carriers transport agricultural products to market