Border vaccine requirements have taken up to 50% of Michigan truck drivers out of international service as costs, uncertainty pile up LANSING, Mich. – In a letter sent this week to federal leaders, the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) echoed a call from national agricultural organizations for the U.S. and Canada to exempt essential truck drivers from COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the border. These policies have prevented up to half of Michigan commercial truck drivers from crossing the Michigan-Ontario border, hampering agricultural trade with Michigan’s top export partner. “The supply chain crisis is getting worse, not better, and vaccine requirements at the border have fueled uncertainty among Michigan’s rural businesses and farmers during the critical spring planting season,” said Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. “Michigan agriculture relies on truck drivers to bring fertilizer and other products into our state, and to facilitate export sales to Canada. The truck driver shortage has added to delays and cost increases at a time when agriculture is already navigating historic market disruption.” The agriculture and trucking industries estimate border vaccine requirements have disqualified 30-50% of Michigan truck drivers from traveling to Canada. The policies were announced late last year and enacted in January by both the U.S. and Canadian governments. An earlier March 7 letter to President Joe Biden sent by 21 national agricultural groups asked the administration to work with the Canadian government to rescind the cross-border vaccine requirements for workers facilitating essential commerce, including truck drivers. A substantial amount of fertilizer moves into Michigan from Canada, especially during March, April and May during peak fertilizer application seasons in the northern states. Michigan also depends on truck drivers to transport grain products, animal feed ingredients and many other agricultural products both ways across the border. “As rural businesses in Michigan navigate a supply chain crisis, our state needs common-sense policies that clear the way for as many truck drivers as possible to cross the U.S.-Canada border,” said Lippstreu. “Providing targeted exemptions to vaccine requirements for these drivers will make a direct and immediate difference for Michigan’s farmers, rural businesses and rural communities.” # # # About the Michigan Agri-Business Association: The Michigan Agri-Business Association is a strong advocate and dedicated resource for Michigan’s food and agriculture sector. The Association’s 300 members include agricultural retailers that provide seed, fertilizer, crop protection and technology to farmers; businesses that handle and export grain; animal feed suppliers; food processors; logistics and beyond.
