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"100
Years of Flight: From Invention to Prevention"
The days leading up to the commencement of the AATA conference were tense
as global threats escalated on many fronts. The war broke out in Iraq;
the SAARS epidemic spread prompting travel warnings; and intelligence
sources announced an increase in chatter throughout the terrorist
network, viewed as a precursor to new terrorist attacks. After much deliberation by the Board and Executive Committee, it was
agreed that the AATA conference should go forward as planned. The
attendees at the conference applauded this difficult decision,
reinforcing that it was the right decision by the Board.
This year's conference was pleased to see 94 attendees from 12
countries: Australia (3), Austria (1), Bermuda (1), Canada (11),
Denmark (1), England (6), Germany (5), Ireland (1), Luxembourg (2), New
Zealand (3), The Netherlands (1) and the USA (59).
Sunday, April 6, 2003 -
The Icebreaker Reception was sponsored by FedEx Charters who, as always,
provided a wonderful opportunity for attendees to get-together and
renewal old friendships and make new ones.
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Monday, April 7, 2003 – |
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The 29th International Conference was opened by
AATA President, Ms. Emma Stamper
(Crowe Livestock Underwriting Ltd). President Stamper thanked the
23 sponsors for this conference. This year's sponsorship was
unprecedented and the overwhelming support of AATA's activities was
very much appreciated. The conference theme focused on "100 Years
of Flight: From Invention to Prevention" as we looked back to the
start of our specialized industry. |
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A pig, sheep and chicken were the first animals to go aloft -
for an 8 minute ride in a hot air balloon in the 1780’s. The
Mongolfier Brothers made a promise to their father never to fly
their machine, hence the "animal shipment". Fast forward 100+ years
to December 17, 1903 and the first flight by the "Kitty Hawk" which
lasted all of 12 seconds and gained 120 feet altitude. Twenty years
later, the air transportation industry slowly began carrying animals
and the rest is history!
As the air transportation industry celebrates 100 years since
that first flight in 1903, AATA’s 29th International Conference
focused on where we are today in the animal transportation industry
— shipping all species by all modes of transport - air, road and
sea. Recently, there have been many changes in the animal
transportation industry as security and biosecurity
become increasingly more important throughout the world. The 2003
AATA International Conference looked closely at today’s industry as
we explored what these issues are, how they affect our business and
how we can deal with their affect. |
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AATA has made a
great stride in the last year. AATA is listed under Experts from
the International Organizations in the Council of Europe, recognized
as an Advisor to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), and
had representatives at the IATA Live Animal & Perishables Board
October 2002 meeting. AATA now has 76 registered grooms and 6 have
been assessed to date. Our next focus will be on a livestock
attendant registration program. |
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AATA President-Elect and Conference Program
Chairman, Joseph Santarelli
(Mersant International Ltd) thanked the conference program's
organizing committee for their efforts on this year's program:
Lorna Barkey (Lyon Petmobile
Services), Nancy Guest (Air
Canada Cargo), Carolyn Young (Sea
Air International Forwarders) and Cherie
Derouin (AATA Publications & Meeting Planning Coordinator). .
. with special recognition and thanks to
Quentin Wallace (International Racehorse Transport) for his
support and assistance with the Open Forum Session. Mr.
Santarelli also thanked Continental Airlines who donated two
round-trip airline tickets (good anywhere Continental flies), which
would be raffled off on Tuesday during the luncheon. This
announcement, of course, received everyone's full attention!
When a new AATA president takes office, as will happen at the
Annual Membership Meeting on Monday, his first official action is to
appoint Committee Chairmen to serve during his term as
representatives for each species segment of our industry. As
President-Elect, Mr. Santarelli encouraged attendees to consider
volunteering to serve as Committee Chairs and to be actively
involved in the direction of AATA. |
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Cherie Derouin
(AATA's Publications and Meeting Planning Coordinator) gave a brief
demonstration of AATA's website. It is a work in progress and
many innovations are expected during the next few months. One
of the primary additions will be a Members Only section which, with
the help of the membership, will be developed into a valuable
resource for AATA members.
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Peter Linhart of the
Schonbrunner Tiergarten, the world's oldest zoo, showed an excellent
video prepared specifically for AATA, inviting attendees to the 2004
conference which will be held in Vienna, Austria.
The conference
hotel, the Parkhotel Schonbrunn, was built in 1907 as the guest
house of Emperor Franze Jose I. The zoo is located directly across
from the hotel and will be the site for some of the conference
activities. It's a beautiful city and should be an outstanding
conference. |
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Dr. Chester A. Gipson,
Deputy Director, USDA, APHIS, Animal Care, gave the keynote address,
reviewing the history of animal transportation and the animals race
to space. AATA, combined with industry leaders and government
officials today must work together to ensure humane animal
transport. The Animal Welfare Act covers many species, all of which
impact biosecurity. USDA's Animal Care regulations these
industries.
USDA is now part of Homeland Security which presents
challenges for the USDA specifically in the area of biosecurity.
Animal identification is the backbone of any biosecurity program.
West Nile Virus is only one example of the need for a good
biosecurity program. The speed and frequency of animal movements -
domestically and internationally - makes issues of disease control
and prevention imperative. Embargoes and quarantine are a
necessary, integral part of disease control. As responsible
professionals in the animal transportation industry, we need to
embrace the NIMBY principle - "Not in My Backyard!" It takes
everyone, working together to maintain strong biosecurity standards. |
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Fines are not in the best interest of animals or the
carriers. Training is the key. The American Veterinary Medical
Association, in cooperation with the Air Transport Association,
recently finished a study of several U.S. air carriers which
concluded that, while generally animals are handled utilizing
adequate procedures and training programs are in force, training can
always be improved which, in turn, improves the professionalism with
which animals are handled. USDA has also sponsored studies and
training programs and continues to do so.
In closing,
Dr. Gipson thanked AATA Director, Dr. George O. Winegar, for all he
did for the import and export of live animals during his years on
the Import/Export staff of USDA and later as Assistant Deputy
Administrator for Veterinary Services prior to his retirement.
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ANIMAL
TRANSPORTATION
ASSOCIATION