Union Pacific's Fumigation Policy for Food Grade Covered Hoppers

Announcement Number: AG2013-40
Categories: Rice,Sugar and Molasses,Flour and Milled Products
Posted Date: July 11, 2013

Dear Union Pacific Customer,

Effective Oct.1, 2013

The use of tape and glue on the hatch lip during the rice fumigation process has been damaging Union Pacific's food grade covered hoppers. To alleviate further damage, Union Pacific, along with the Hendee Corporation, have developed a product (Rapid Plastic) that has passed testing for securement and temperature variations with no impact to the product or the food grade covered hopper. Also, the Rapid Plastic product has been approved for fumigation by the USDA.

To assist our customers in adopting this new product of rice shipments in food grade covered hoppers, Union Pacific will offset a portion of the cost of the product in the scheduled Oct 1, 2013 renewal of UPRR 4908.

Be mindful, that after October 1, 2013, the continued practice of using tape and glue on Union Pacific's food grade covered hopper fleet will result in the denial of claims for paint chips. Additionally, continued usage of tape and glue will cause the Union Pacific to file claim for physical damages caused to the rail car.

If you have any questions, please contact your Union Pacific Representative or Damage Prevention Engineer Jeff Poeppe at 402-544-3592(JMPOEPPE@up.com).