RALEIGH — Gov. Bev Perdue has temporarily suspended motor carrier regulations to ensure that poultry farmers in the northwest part of the state can get feed and supplies delivered to care for their livestock.

“These feed shipments are essential to keep these animals alive during this extended cold snap and to protect our agriculture jobs,” said Perdue, who signed Executive Order No. 48 to waive the regulations. “Some areas of our mountains have been especially hard hit by multiple storms during the past two months.”

The uninterrupted supply of feed and other goods to the poultry industry is essential during wintertime and any interruption in the delivery of those goods threatens the industry.

Executive Order No. 48 allows persons transporting feed and supplies to poultry farms in Alexander, Surry, Wilkes and Yadkin counties to operate above the maximum hours of service. The waiver of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations does not apply to size and weight restrictions, or to the commercial drivers’ license and insurance requirements.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol will enforce conditions outlined in the executive order. Upon request by law enforcement officers, exempted vehicles must produce documentation sufficient to establish their loads are being used for relief efforts associated with the cold weather and winter storm. The duration of this executive order is 30 days or until the emergency situation ends.